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Art in the park: Busy artist wishes for more time in her shack

Staff reporter

With a lump of clay, a pottery wheel, and some expertise, a work of art is created.

Shawn Voth of Marion, a busy wife, mother, and grandmother, wishes there were more hours in the day for her to spend in her special "corner of the world."

In a small room that is part of a garage, Shawn has supplies, materials, and equipment to create pottery pieces such as mugs, bowls, and decorative stoneware. Her business is called Outback Mud Shack.

"My interest started in high school," Shawn said. As a student at Hillsboro High School, she took an art class from teacher Celia Byer of Marion.

Shawn earned an art scholarship to Bethel College and then, some years later, found herself at Tabor College.

Les Byer, owner of Flint Hills Clay Works, taught Shawn when she was a student at Tabor College. Today Shawn purchases her clay from the local manufacturer.

In the early 1980s, Flint Hills Clay Works had retail items available.

"When Tara (her oldest child) was little, I started making wheat bags and other retail items for the store," Shawn said.

Shawn worked for Byer and began her in-home pottery business.

Her items are available at area retailers such as Central Park Antiques Emporium, Marion; Clay Works Gallery, Newton; Homemade Happiness, Salina; Picket Fence, Yoder; and Kansas Originals, Wilson.

Even though she creates new items from time to time, Kansas souvenir items remain her bestsellers.

Shawn purchases clay in 25-pound blocks. She cuts and weighs the clay as needed for each item.

The clay is placed on a pottery wheel which allows Shawn to mold the clay into the desired shape. Water is used to keep the clay pliable, so it won't stick on her hands.

When the desired shape is attained, the item is dried to a texture similar to leather. During the drying process which could be several days, Shawn sprays water on the items to keep from cracking.

After the items are dried, clay is trimmed from the bottoms, and handles or stamps are applied and dried.

The items are fired in a kiln and then dipped in colored glazes.

The entire process can take up to a couple of weeks.

Shawn also enjoys tole painting and creating scrapbooks.

She enjoys her home business but wishes it could be more.

"I wish I could get this business going enough for a full-time job," Shawn said. "With the economy the way it is right now, these are not items people have to buy."

Special orders can be made with Shawn for particular items or large quantities of a particular item.

Currently Shawn works part-time at the Marion County Noxious Weed Department and is a substitute paraprofessional and teacher's aide for USD 408.

Shawn and husband Don have four children — Tara, 27, Randi, 22, Chelsea, 10, and Bret, 8.

Her items will be on display and for sale Sept. 17, at Art in the Park, Marion.

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