Artist Bio

Monika Vitek is a ceramicist and visual artist based in Southeast Portland. While she grew up in the Czech Republic, Oregon has been her home for 25 years. Monika fell in love with black iron sand ilmenite and its subtle effects in the ceramic process more than 10 years ago. Slowly it made its way into her abstract paintings, and was joined by sand from around the world. Ilmenite is readily available on the beaches and in the rivers of the Pacific Northwest and she collects hers just south of Astoria.

She works mostly with porcelain. Adding ilmenite throughout the ceramic process yields different effects every time. When wedged to the clay body or added during the throwing process, it will create vanilla bean effects. Added to the glaze and allowing atmosphere to work its magic can turn the iron rich sand into particles of rust.

In paintings, sand creates not only texture and depth, but becomes an essential new element. Her focus is to invite peace and calm through painting and design elements. There is beauty in every grain of sand already, Monika is just merrily sending it on a new journey.