Gallery of Virginia Art and Gifts LLC

Bringing you our state's best nature artists plus VA's finest gourmet products and wines

Midge Amos - Porcelain Artist

Virginia State fair 1st place ribbon for Midge Amos for 'Best in Division'. Also featured: Custom handpainted 'Peaks of Otter' porcelains available only at the Gallery, and violet Chocolate pot
Sunflower on cheese board
Blueberries on celery dish

A History of Porcelain

Porcelain is one of several kinds of pottery, but is the only one that is vitreous, or non-porous and the better quality is translucent. Fine porcelain also has a distinctive ring to it . Porcelain can be traced back to the 9th Century Tang Dynasty of China. Examples of porcelain were brought to the western European world from the Orient in the later half of the 13th Century by Marco Polo. Chemists in European countries were kept as virtual prisoners to create and duplicate the formula for the hard paste porcelain equal to that of China. It took approximately 450 years before this was accomplished. Suitable porcelain for painting is not produced in the United states. The two essential ingredients, kaolin and feldspar, are not as available as they are in Asia and Europe. Germany produces some fine quality porcelain, but the premiere porcelain comes from Limoges, France.

Also of note: Many of the pieces that Midge Amos paints on today are reproductions of antiques that are shipped to her from Europe and Asia.

Violets on plate with 24 karat gold banding
Pink pansies on spoon holder
Hummingbird with Morning Glories on dresser tray
Grapes and leaves on wine bottle shaped cheese board

Midge Amos was born near Williamsburg, Virginia and makes her home and studio in Hannover County, VA. She has served as a contributing board member on the World Organization of China Painters headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and currently is the president of the Virginia World Organization of China Painters. She has served in this capacity twice in the last 15 years. Midge's recent awards include 2 first place titles in the 'Best of Division' Virginia State Fair Professional Section within the last two years. She has had her work exhibited at The World Organization of China Painters Museum, and also is published frequently in Porcelain trade magazines.

Midge takes pride in instructing students and has assisted others who have gone on to develop careers in this very difficult field. The Gallery is pleased to welcome Midge Amos back for our 2008 season and invite you the public and the collector to meet the artist on Saturday, May 10th from 1-4 PM for our Pre Mother's Day event.

Virginia Porcelain artist Midge Amos has international collectors of her work including the visiting Japanese ambassadors to Washington, D.C. (2006) and custom orders for clients from South Africa to Ireland.