Cricket Griffith, a potter from the Houlton area, grew up with a desire to learn how to mold clay. She said, “ I am a creator, an artist, a dabbler and an experimenter. I am a potter, which I feel like encompasses all of these things. Definitely an artist. I started making mud stuff in 2006 and just kind of never stopped.” Cricket learned the basics of her art form at UMPI and now offers to teach others the basics if they are interested. She said, “My favorite part is how therapeutic pottery is. You can sit down with a lump of clay and just tell it what to become. You have a picture in your mind and the clay becomes it. Or sometimes, you have no picture in your mind, but the clay will still become.”
Cricket Griffith. Finished coffee mugs, ready for a customer. 22 Aug 2021. @muddycricketpottery
Cricket, like many of Aroostook County’s local artisans, sells her pottery a number of ways: word of mouth, online marketing such as Facebook and Instagram and local farmers’ markets and craft fairs. Cricket said, “I sell more at craft fairs/farmers’ markets. But that is also where I take my random creations that don’t really follow a theme.” So, the next time you head to your local farmers’ market or the county fair, check out the craft tables. You never know just what you’ll find.
On the other side of the spectrum is a more robust art form: chain saw carving. Jon Hopkins, of Caribou, has been working with his chainsaw for about the past four years now. He said, “I’m still unsure about things that I carve, if they are any good. It’s a lot of work to try to form something out of a dead piece of wood. I started to accumulate quite a collection, so I had to do something with them. I’ve given a lot them away. Sold some. Burnt many in the campfire.” For Jon, the joy lies in the creating. “All the work that comes to it just so you can chainsaw for about 45 minutes. Maybe an hour. Because your arms and elbows just don’t want to go any more. But I can say I’m pretty good with a chainsaw,” Jon said.
Jon Hopkins. Personal Photo. Eagle Chainsaw Carving, front view, perched. 26 Aug 2021.
Wherever you look in the County, you’ll be sure to find an assortment of art made by talented artisans. Keep an eye out on Facebook Marketplace for gems such as Jon Hopkins’ chainsaw carvings. And make sure to check out your craft fairs and local listings for artists such as Cricket Griffith. There are so many talented artists hidden in Aroostook County, you’re sure to find something to your liking.
