Signature Styles at Hands Gallery
Jeff Martin ceramics and Debbi Ordan jewelry featured in September

By Jeff Eason
Hands Gallery in Boone has been nurturing unique High Country artists for more than two decades. This

month the gallery celebrates the work of two artists whose signature styles help keep our area on the cutting edge of aesthetic and functional art.

Jeff Martin’s striking and distinctive pottery has become one of the most popular items at Hands since he joined the gallery two years ago. His black and white pottery items look like they have been etched like a woodprint.

“The technique is called sgraffito and it was developed in 7th century Persia,” said Martin. “Later, like so many things, it was adopted by Italian artists.”

After Martin throws his pots on the wheel, but before the clay has hardened, he carves out a drawing and sometimes writes words and phrases into the piece. The carving reveals the white clay beneath the black surface.

“A lot of times I will use sayings, snippets of words, things like that,” said Martin. “Right now I’m really into Spanish words and phrases.”

Martin creates his work at his home studio on Howard’s Creek Road. His pieces include mugs, pots, functional and decorative art.

“I’ve also started to do face jugs,” said Martin. “They are my take on an old Appalachian potter tradition. I’ve also started to go forward on a lot of non-functional bigger, stylistic pieces.”

Although Martin is primarily self-taught, he credits Eric Reichard of the Appalachian State University’s Craft Enrichment Program and potters Lucy Hamilton, Maggie Black and Bob Meier with helping him develop his interest and technique.

I consider my work to be outside the box as far as pottery goes, because of the two-dimensional aspect of my designs,” said Martin. “I like to think of my work as functional art. I feel blessed to be able to do this full time. Every day working with my art is a brand new day.”

In addition to his work at Hands Gallery, Martin also sells his work at the Watauga County Farmers Market every Saturday through the end of September.

Debbi Ordan, the current president of Hands Gallery, has been a member of the artists’ cooperative for over 20 years. Her silver, copper and bronze jewelry has become one of the gallery’s signature art lines, luring many repeat customers into the gallery over the years.

“I just love making jewelry,” said Ordan. “My work is contemporary yet classic and functional.”

Ordan creates stunning earrings, pendants, pins, bracelets and barrettes, with the distinctive look of silver, copper and bronze with the occasional use of gold and gemstones.

| Ordan began making jewelry when she apprenticed with John and Linda Whitney. After living in New Mexico for two years, she returned to the High Country and soon found a home for her new art at Hands Gallery.

“My style is called fabrication,” said Ordan. “I use an acetylene torch and an art saw to create the shapes. The process is entirely non-electric except for the polishing stage.”

That polishing stage gives her work a mirror-like finish that is Ordan’s signature style.

Jeff Martin and Debbi Ordan will be on hand at Hands Gallery to meet with the public at the Art Crawl in Boone on Friday, September 5th from 5 to 8 p.m.

For more information, call Hands Gallery at (828) 262-1970. For more information on Martin’s work, visit www.jeffmartinceramics.blogspot or www.jeffmartinceramics.com.