The weird and wonderful world of Marie Prett Ceramics is somewhere I’ve wanted to go for some time. Today seemed like the right day to explore. The artist has been working with clay for more than three decades, and her skill with the medium is very apparent. She creates whimsical human and animal forms with Earthstone Handbuilding clay and decorates them using oxides, slips, and glazes.

Prett takes much of her inspiration from characters in folklore, fairy tales, and classic literature, but it’s her old world circus sculptures that most intrigue me. There’s something so romantic about her version of the circus, and I love that the animals depicted seem to be willing participants rather than forced labor or sideshow attractions.

You can see all of Marie Pretty’s wonderful sculptures on her website and on Instagram and Facebook.