Ella Dalton from Tend.ed
Sydney-based maker Ella Dalton’s organic, earthly ceramics pay homage to the imperfect perfections within the world around us.
Words: Holly Terry I Photography: Hande Renshaw
Ella Dalton in her Sydney studio. Photo: Hande Renshaw
‘I think that by creating functional domestic objects, and letting them mirror mother nature, they become sculptural and timeless – and that concept creates so much excitement for me,’ says Ella Dalton. Photo: Hande Renshaw
Ella Dalton, the ceramic artist behind from tend.ed, pays homage to her upbringing in the Southern Highlands in NSW, as the early source of her creativity, explaining that it has shaped the maker she is today. Surrounded by rolling hills, endless creek visits, art making from local foraging and spending her days cooking in the kitchen with her mum, Ella’s childhood served the perfect breeding ground for an early mind of a multidisciplinary maker.
Although the creative spends time painting and hand building, Ella explains her interest in ceramics started early. ‘[I spent] a lot of time from a young age in the studio alongside our good friends Lou and Paul from Berrima Village Pottery, who remain forever role models in their ceramic expertise and knowledge,’ she shares.
Nowadays, it’s the rituals in Ella’s life that drive her creative energy. Prioritising at least an hour per day exercising her maker mind (outside of her work as a marriage celebrant and her part time role at a multi-media agency), whether that be hand building ceramics, hand glazing or painting.
‘I think [prioritising creativity] is so important, because I can often get lost in creating for orders and commissions, that I forget where it all started – and that was creating as a form of self-practice for my mental health and for grounding,’ she says.
‘Rituals are one of the biggest driving factors for Tend.ed. It’s my therapy. It’s usually a record, a sunrise, dim lighting, a coffee, a smell, a list, and all forms of water. I try get into the sea every day and make it a priority especially on days I am creating. Every day I pick up a tool, is different. I’m constantly changing and constantly finding my new normal.’
‘My biggest inspiration for Tend.ed are beings, including self. I am constantly inspired by the people I’m surrounded by, ever-thinking, changing, living, learning, and growing.’ Photo: Hande Renshaw
‘Nothing really beats the pride I get in seeing my pieces make their way into people’s safe spaces – it will never get old.’ Photo: Hande Renshaw
‘When I look back to how I’ve always exercised my creativity, I think it’s evident that it’s always been a form of relaxation for me.’ Photo: Hande Renshaw
Ella’s objects reflect the shapes and forms of the imperfect, yet perfect nature of our world, a love letter from Ella to mother nature. She describes the dimples within the dirt, the shapes of our world’s plethora of living creatures, the waves of the sea, lights and tessellations fondly, making her tenderness for the interplay of nature and her organic works clear.
While her works are both charming and aesthetically pleasing, they’re functional and sturdy, driven by Ella’s inspiration of the human being, the self. ‘I am constantly inspired by the people I am surrounded by, ever thinking, changing, living, learning, and growing.’
Drawn to tactile building, Ella naturally found herself directing her energy into clay for the most part. She builds all of her ceramics by hand, which, according to her, is the best part.
‘The feeling of the cold soft dough between my fingers is such a sensory and healing process, it makes creating so therapeutic… my process has different shapes, forms and flows depending on what I’m creating – but no matter what, my process always involves breathing and being present.’
Soon to be launching her second full collection, titled Nourish; Ella has created six core pieces of art ceramics, each made with purpose. Fusing functionality and aesthetic, each piece will tend to personal being, whilst timelessly adorning homes.