Nov 04, 2009 - 04:30 AM

By Mike Ruta

PORT PERRY -- With a two-and-a-half year old daughter at home, Leanne Ryan-Jordan works on her pottery when she's able.

"When I have a show coming up, when my daughter's sleeping I'm doing my work," the Brooklin potter says. "Lately I've been going to bed around one or two in the morning."

Ryan-Jordan has several shows coming up, including this weekend's Scugog Council for the Arts' 15th annual Showcase of the Arts. She says she'll be showing "a real variety of things," and show visitors will be able to see the different, earth-tone glazes she employs.

She does functional pottery, and Brie Bakers and berry bowls are very popular. Ryan-Jordan will also do specialty items such as tea pots, trays and bowls for customers.

"There's certain things I do over and over, just because of demand," says Ryan-Jordan. "But it can get kind of boring.

"I'll try different elements on the rims and carving and pinching, you know, just different things to make it interesting."

She graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design in 1997, deciding to buy new equipment and setting up a studio in her parents' home. When she moved to Brooklin, the garage became her studio and Ryan-Jordan jumped right into the local arts scene.

"Since I moved here, I'm with the Durham Potters (Guild) and the Scugog arts council," she says. "I've been trying to focus on this area. There are lots of art events and interest in this area. I've had a lot of interest in my work."

Creating pottery isn't as easy as one might imagine, but she wouldn't have it any other way.

"It is tough," Ryan-Jordan says. "It's a lot of work. A lot of physical work. It's more like a passion. I can't stop doing it. I like having my hands in the clay. That's my time to have some peacefulness and be creative."

See her work and that of other artists Nov. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at First Night, First Choice, the Fine Craft and Art Show Preview Reception at the Scugog Community Centre, 1655 Reach St. (west of Old Simcoe). The show continues Nov. 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., also at the Community Centre.

For more information about the show, visit www.scugogarts.ca.

To learn more about Ryan-Jordan, visit www.leanneryanjordan.com.