Jaconita, NM
(b. 1953, New York)

Ellen Mancini was born and grew up in Oyster Bay, New York. Her experience as a ceramic artist began while studying Art Therapy and Ceramics at Marywood University in Pennsylvania. Although inspired by her classes, she chose to leave the graduate program to open her first ceramics studio. This decision allowed her to pursue a lifelong dream of living the life of an artist.

 After relocating to New Mexico, she now operates a studio in the Pojoaque Valley, north of Santa Fe. The landscape and sky are an excellent background for her work as a ceramic artist. Close proximity to indigenous tribes as well as Mexican culture influence her work. This unique environment provides a space for her to work intuitively from her heart with joy.

For her sculptures, she uses a clay slab technique, adding texture before assembling the slabs into forms. Sculpted details complete the process of creating guardian figures inspired by nature and mysticism. Her medium of choice is stoneware clay fired to cone 6. Glazes add color and interest to each unique piece. She finds much pleasure in sharing her work with viewers and experiencing an appreciation of the magic.