There are numerous talented artists who hand paint ceramics. Even their own slip cast ceramics. (For those who don’t know, slip-casting is one of the simplest methods of reproducing a replica of an original model). But what makes Shalene Valenzuela’s work different is the items on which she is painting. Her ceramics are not tableware or dinnerware. Not pretty vases or wedding platters meant to be used in a functional way, but sculpture meant to make you think. Or laugh. Or both. (more…)