Getting to Know the Artists Behind Earth Tones

A conversation with Christine Lathrop and Alford Wayman

As part of Earth Tones, we wanted to offer a glimpse into the minds and hands behind the work—how the artists see, feel, and shape the world through their materials. Below are five questions, each answered by painter Christine Lathrop and potter Alford Wayman, reflecting on process, place, and the hope that art can help us see the land—and each other—more clearly.

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Christine Lathrop | Landscape Painting

What draws you to paint landscapes, and how do you choose the scenes you capture?

I have always been most happy while out in the natural world. So I’m drawn to trees, plants and atmosphere as subjects for paintings. Years of studying art have influenced my choices.

How does the place you live—or places you’ve traveled—influence your work?

I tend to paint the seasons of NE PA where I have lived all of my life. But having traveled extensively, I love the challenge of the desert southwest as well.

Can you describe your painting process?

I mostly paint from photos that I have taken. I enlarge and print them and then do a pencil drawing on my painting surface. Then I apply many layers of watercolor, working from light to dark. Acrylic and pastel works require different methods.

What do you hope people feel when they view your paintings?

My hope is that people will view my paintings as beautiful and calming and can be drawn into the scene—and of course want it in their home.

Is there a favorite time of day you return to often in your work?

The best time of day to get good contrast is early morning or late afternoon. Of course, the artist can change the light, which is both a challenge and a delight.

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Alford Wayman | Pottery

What keeps you coming back to the wheel day after day?

I keep returning because there’s something honest about the clay that doesn’t let you lie to yourself. Some days the pots go up smooth. Other days, it’s all struggle. But the clay never pretends—it shows exactly where you are. Coming back to the wheel is my way of staying rooted. It’s a small act of defiance against the noise.

How does your environment shape your pottery?

The land here in Northeastern Pennsylvania shows up in everything I make. There’s a rhythm in the seasons, a kind of hum in the background that seeps into the forms. I make pots that feel like they belong on a farmhouse table, not in a glass case.

What do you think about while you work?

Sometimes I’m working through stories—memories, questions, what-ifs. Sometimes I’m thinking about the people who might one day hold that bowl or mug. And sometimes, not much at all. Just the quiet rhythm of pulling a wall or shaping a rim.

What’s one lesson you’ve learned from failure in pottery?

That failure isn’t the enemy. I’ve had pieces that didn’t survive the firing, only to become sketches for something better down the line. The pot might fail, but the process never does—so long as you’re paying attention.

What do you hope people take away from using your pots?

I hope they feel the care. That these weren’t made fast or thoughtless. I hope the mug fits the hand just right and the bowl reminds them of something familiar. More than anything, I hope they feel a connection—to the maker, to the earth, to something slower and more intentional.

Artist Bios:

Christine Lathrop –

Christine Lathrop has enjoyed drawing and painting throughout her life, but she began painting seriously in her 50s after taking her first formal art classes. Since then, she has studied with several prominent artists in the region and participated in workshops along the Eastern Seaboard. She continues to seek instruction and inspiration from art magazines and fellow artists.

Primarily working in watercolor, Christine also explores acrylics, pastels, oils, and dry media. Her curiosity leads her to experiment with new materials and methods—sometimes incorporating natural elements such as tree bark, pressed flowers, and found objects into collage work. More recently, she has begun creating paintings entirely from wool and acrylic fibers on linen.

Christine’s preferred subjects reflect her deep appreciation for the natural world: trees, plants, animals, barns, and rural buildings. Her landscapes are inspired by the countryside of Northeastern Pennsylvania, where she has lived most of her life, as well as scenes from her travels across the United States.

A lifetime of working, traveling, and raising a family has given Christine a rich tapestry of experiences that continue to inform her artistic voice. She is a proud member of Slanted Art and Hill Country Artists.

Alford Wayman –

Alford Wayman is a ceramic artist living and working in rural Northeastern Pennsylvania. His journey with clay began at Keystone Junior College, where he earned an Associate of Fine Arts from 1994 to 1996. He then completed a two-year apprenticeship at Wild Flower Pottery in Thompson, PA, before earning his BFA in ceramics from Marywood University. Since then, Alford has spent his life exploring the deep connection between craft, community, and the land. He creates functional pottery inspired by the natural world and everyday life—work that is meant to be held, used, and lived with. His forms are rooted in tradition but shaped by a contemporary eye, with thoughtful design and surface work that invites touch. Much of Alford’s work is fired in a gas kiln, where he experiments with carbon trapping and other atmospheric techniques to reflect the unpredictability and beauty of nature. Each piece carries the quiet intention of slowing down, making use meaningful, and honoring the handmade.

In addition to his studio practice at Creek Road Pottery LLC, Alford writes The Pottery Dailies, a Substack journal exploring creativity, resilience, and the rhythm of the handmade life. His writing and pottery both aim to offer moments of quiet connection in a noisy world.

Alford is proud to be part of the local artist community and is passionate about preserving handmade traditions while encouraging others to make work that matters.

Earth Tones

Rooted in Nature, crafted with care.

A Featured Artist Exhibition

Christine Lathrop | Alford Wayman

Join us for an evening of art inspired by the land.

You’re invited to the opening of Earth Tones, a joint show featuring landscape paintings by Christine Lathrop and pottery by Alford Wayman. Together, we explore the quiet beauty of nature—through brush, clay, color, and form.

Opening Reception

Friday, June 20, 2025

6:00 – 8:00 PM

Slanted Art Gallery

13 Public Ave, Montrose, PA

Enjoy an evening of handcrafted pottery, immersive landscapes, and good conversation in the heart of Montrose. Light refreshments will be served.

Tagline: Rooted in Nature, crafted with care

We’d love to see you there, and feel free to bring a friend!