Bitterroot Brook Trout

Bitterroot Rainbow Trout

Bitterroot Brown Trout

Artist Statement

Robin Ireland

Born and raised in Montana, Robin has a love of Montana rivers and streams that developed from fly fishing with her father at a very early age. Now, living in Hamilton Montana, Robin continues to explore new fishing holes along the Bitterroot River and other streams and lakes in the Bitterroot Valley.

 After developing pottery skills at Clay Works! in Hamilton, Robin decided to create platters, luminaries and most recently fish sculptures in porcelain clay, hand painted with the native trout she loves to catch (and release).

 About the Fish Sculptures

 Robin uses a translucent porcelain clay to which she adds paper to strengthen the clay body. This allows her to add movement to the fish that otherwise would not be possible. The ceramic sculptures are created in two pieces so that space can be created inside the fish, allowing for lights to be added later. The fish are hand painted with colorful glazes at the “bone dry” stage, before firing. After the final glaze firing, the fish are mounted on locally sourced stones of slate, basalt or quartzite and then driftwood and stones found along the Bitterroot River are added to create a one of a kind sculpture.