Iris Grundler is a Maryland Artist whose works is displayed in homes and business throughout the metropolitan area. As a young girl she tried every medium of art, and as an adult she experimented with most media and she chose both photography and pottery to express herself.

Iris was born in Peru South America, moved to United States as a teenager. Ultimately earning a BSAT-Bachelor of Science in Architecture Technology degree in 1984 at Catholic University of America in Washington D.C., and immediately began her career as an Architect.

Her Architectural journey inspired her, and thus she incorporated in many related aspects in her work: public places, designs, nature and community. She is an artist who is deeply aware of people, time, and places.

However, she found that her most artistic side was unfulfilled and thus she began painting for leisure and, in 2005, pursued the study of ceramics in local pottery classes.

She celebrates her culture through the study of history, the understanding of glazes and wide range of techniques used in her Art. She favors techniques like, “Mishima”; scratching the surface of the clay and filling it wit slip, and “Sgraffito”; several layers of color clay that is scratched exposing the layers. When she uses colors, it brings out the composition of lines, shapes and contours, similar to how a composer works with musical notes that create a melody. “An old saying states that what cannot be seen with eyes can be seen with the heart.” Also, her style and patterns combine elements from her Spanish and Incan heritages along with American influences, to produce designs that are uniquely hers.

The techniques and glazes she uses may have been known as early as 700 BC in ancient cultures.

Iris creates richly decorated and colored pottery in a wide variety of colors and designs. She offers home décor, kitchenware, and tableware including bowls and platters, wine chillers, teapots, pitchers, and much more.

In the early 2000s, her supportive husband Ed, built her own studio/shop at their residence where she creates all of her work. Her talent as a potter and artist results in creation that spring from her imagination, without imitating the work of others.

She continues her training by taking several workshop/classes each year as well as attending ceramic conferences, like NCECA-National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, every other year.