Colleen Colabella
Maker Monday - December 2022
About the Artist
Name: Colleen Colabella
Medium: pottery, watercolors
Years creating: 10 years
SCAA Member since: 2009
Based in: Narragansett, RI
Click an image to view portfolio slideshow
Colleen first joined the SCAA in 2009 and started taking pottery classes in our studio. She has taken many classes here over the years, and began exhibiting 6 years ago. The two watercolor paintings shown in this newsletter are both award-winning works of art. - SCAA
Where are you from, and what do you make?
I am originally from Seekonk, Massachusetts but now split residences between East Granby, CT and Narragansett.
I create pottery items including solar flowers, Towers of Hope, and Sea Turtles. I also make watercolors and silk painted scarves.
How long have you been seriously pursuing art?
I have always had my hands busy with some form of art, but got into pottery about a decade ago and watercolors 4 years ago.
What inspires you to create?
I happened upon a group of volunteers from The Beach Sea Turtle Patrol in Jacksonville Beach one morning. They were protecting a nest; I could see the tracks leading to and from the nest. I adopt sea turtle nests with the proceeds from my sea turtle sales. Their struggle to survive is real -- only 1 of 1000 will survive into adulthood.
Living in Narragansett I am also inspired by the rocks washed on the shore. These are the inspiration for my watercolors.
As a member of the SCAA, what do you like most about us?
Even though I have had a home in Narragansett for 34 years I didn't discover SCAA until I took up pottery about a decade ago. I never realized what a treasure I was missing. The classes are enlightening, and the community atmosphere is inspiring.
Tell us a joke.
Why did Van Gogh choose painting as his profession?
Because he did not have an ear for music.