Daniela Cățoi

Porcelain maker

©Daniela Catoi

Delicate porcelain flowers

Daniela makes jewellery and decorative objects in porcelain
She is self-taught and inspired by nature
She teaches clay modelling courses for children

Daniela Cățoi has basked in art since childhood, her father being a painter. She studied Graphics both in high school and at university, where she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees. After teaching painting in secondary school for almost five years, she has been working as a clay modelling teacher at the National Palace of Children in Bucharest since 2014. Daniela says the interaction with children has nurtured her creativity and provided her with the right context to shift from painting to working with porcelain. She has discovered a new world in her studio, where she is constantly researching, experimenting, interpreting, adapting and rendering creative ideas from a personal perspective. Impressive in the execution of details and their refinement, her creations are inspired mainly by nature, often seeking to depict rare shapes that fuel her imagination.

Interview

©Daniela Catoi

©Daniela Catoi

How would you define your craft and what do you love most about it?: I would describe the creative process in my craft as being conditioned by fascination and determination. I am grateful for the moments of silence, meditation and introspection during my work, but also for the relationship I have developed with the students attending my classes.
How is nature reflected in your work?: Sometimes I try to reproduce exactly what I see, other times I imagine how to transform everything harmoniously. There is no way in which to copy nature’s authenticity, but I have noticed that the form resulting from this painstaking study still renders a deep feeling.
What was the first object you made?: The first piece I worked on was a vase decorated with branches and spheres of all sizes on the outside. I worked for days to shape and glue the spheres in such a way as to create an illusion of movement. I believe that a well-made piece must be carefully finished, even if it is meant to be spontaneous. It must have a harmonious movement, a sustained composition, and impress you deeply when you look at it.
What do you suggest to someone interested in practising your craft?: I think the surest way to create something consistent is to work hard and persevere. Don't be satisfied with the information gathered from different sources or received from a master. Long personal experience will leave its mark visibly on your work in a very good way.

Daniela Cățoi is a master artisan: she began her career in 2014 and she started teaching in 2014