Joyce Butler Petrakovitz
As a student at Interlochen Arts Academy in the late 60’s I became seriously interested in the visual arts field while there studying dance performance. Studying the choreography of Martha Grahmn , Jose Limon and that of my instructor William Hug really helped develop my ideas about visual form. I was increasingly drawn to the fine arts studios, with a particular fascination with the ceramics and sculpture departments seeing the 3D relationship of forms much like in choreography. I graduated from Interlochen with a determination to go on to Art School instead of pursuing a dance career.
Thirty years ago I started working as a potter after graduating from The Center for Creative Studies (then known as the Society of Arts and Crafts) in Detroit, Michigan. The crafts revival was in full swing and I was smitten by the new clay-art movement. After a successful twenty-five year clay career and finding myself now a middle-aged clay artist I decided that it was time to explore some of the other mediums I was exposed to as an art student.
I studied drawing and painting in school along with my major in ceramics . In 1994 I started experimenting with paint and pastels again. Carpal tunnel syndrome had taken it’s toll on both wrists from many years as a clay artist. Finding 2D very agreeable phyically and a new artistic challenge Joyce Butler Petrakovitz.
Although I worked as a potter for 25 years in partnership with my husband David Petrakovitz, in 1994 I started experimenting with paint and other 2D mediums that I had explored as a student years before. I was feeling like I had made enough mugs and tea pots and wished to preserve what use remained in my wrists (carpal tunnel syndrome). I still work with clay periodically mainly for Raku firing now.
I am captivated by color, maybe as a reaction to the earthy palette of the clay art I made for so many years. My present focus on landscapes gives me the opportunity to use a full and vivid range of color to build my imagery and to express my feelings toward environmental preservation issues.
Joyce Butler Petrakovitz
150 Arbutus Dr.
Cadillac, MI 49601
petrakovitz@voyager.net