The Colours of Maritime Ceramics

Drawing inspiration from the landscape of the Maritimes, my ceramics are dressed in the hues of nature, from soft mossy green to vibrant iris purple.

Important note:

Screens don’t do a great job of accurately displaying colours, so you may find the colour of the finished piece to be slightly different than what you see online, depending on how your monitor is calibrated.

A small waterfall flowing over moss-covered rocks in a forest stream.
Seven small, round, green ceramic spoon rests with fiddlehead designs inside, arranged on a light-colored surface. Copyright Kate O'Rourke/Maritime Ceramics.

Fundy Moss

Evoking the moss and lichen found in New Brunswick’s forests, this is a matte green on red clay, sprinkled with lighter tones in areas where the glaze is thinner or thicker. The heat of the kiln heavily influences this glaze and you may see some translucency on some pieces.

A close-up of a purple iris flower blooming among green foliage with a blurred background.
Person holding a colorful ceramic mug with a purple glaze combination. Copyright Kate O'Rourke/Maritime Ceramics.
A hand holding a ceramic cup with a blue and purple glaze pattern resembling a landscape with blue sky, clouds, and distant mountains. Copyright Kate O'Rourke/Maritime Ceramics.

Iris

Whether peeking out of grassy flats in our salt marshes or cultivated in backyard gardens, the Iris is an elegant, ephemeral flower, reminding us to slow down and appreciate nature’s beauty.

This colour combination features a translucent dark purple topped by a brighter blue-purple; considerable variation can be expected from this dynamic glaze.

Empty sandy beach in Prince Edward Island with gentle waves and overcast sky.
Seven handmade ceramic coffee mugs with a glossy green glaze and horizontal ribbed texture, arranged on a white fabric surface against a plain background. Copyright Kate O'Rourke/Maritime Ceramics.

Red Shores

Inspired by the surf breaking on Prince Edward Island’s gorgeous red sand beaches, this light turquoise shows the red clay underneath in areas where there is texture.

Calm ocean with rocks and seaweed near the shore, under a partly cloudy sky.
A teal ceramic bowl with a spiral design at the bottom and matching mug with a handle, both sitting on a white wooden surface against a gray background. Copyright Kate O'Rourke/Maritime Ceramics.

Seaside Teal

Hidden away inside the Kejimkujik Seaside Adjunct in Nova Scotia are the most improbably brilliant ocean waters, and this glaze, like the ocean, varies significantly depending on what is underneath. On red clay, it shifts to a darker, more greenish teal, while on white clays it shines a bright, frothy teal.