Most of my clay work is inspired by the production potters of Seagrove, NC. I grew up a short drive from there, and usually once a year (circa late 80’s-90’s) my parents would load my brother and me into the car to travel through and stop at their favorite pottery houses. Some would be designated by hand painted signs pointed at the road, while another might have a yard full of jugs and vessels on display with a large wood-fire kiln in the background. From shop to shop we would see the wares change shape and the glazes change color. Each location was unique and expressive of the potter/potters who lived there, showcasing their skills and knowledge. As we would visit the shops, some of the owners would give us a full studio tour explaining their maker process and sharing what inspired them to create. These interactions would often lead to the purchase of a unique handmade treasure to be taken home, displayed on a shelf, hung on the wall, or kept in a cupboard only to be brought out for special occasions. Over the next 30 years I would see my dad build a collection that would rival many galleries and museums.
In the fall of 2022 I decided to start my own clay journey. After having worked for the previous few years as a glassblower and closing my shop after Covid, I was in search of a new medium. Working with clay and glazes just felt like the next step. My wife and I enrolled into a local six-week community studio program to get a feel for clay and decide if it was something we wanted to pursue. Over the course of the next few weeks as we made a bunch of wonky mugs, I kept in close contact with my dad, keeping him updated with all we were doing, since it was the thoughts of his collection that were inspiring my clay visions. I had no idea at the time that clay and pottery would be the last thing we would connect over, as near the end of our second six-week class session, I got the call that my dad had unexpectedly passed. Distraught with grief, I left the community studio and spent the next year and a half burying myself in ceramics books and online readings in preparation for putting together a home studio, which came to life in April of 2024.
My studio time since then has been spent with an emphasis on wheel throwing functional kitchenware, featuring glazes I mixed myself while paying tribute to the masterful pieces I watched my dad collect over the years. Through practice and patience, my once wonky pots have turned into nicely shaped mugs, vases, bakeware, and lidded vessels. Similarly, my glazes have evolved from plain and colorless to bright and eye-catching.
In September of 2024 I was introduced to the PennOhio Clay Guild, a diverse group of artists and creatives looking to remove boundaries for clay-art education and support. After hearing their mission and touring the new building, I was hooked. I wanted to be a part of this and felt it would benefit me to remove myself from the isolation of my home studio. As of today, I’ve been involved with the guild for five months. During that time, I’ve moved my studio to their second floor private artist suites which allows me to continue working through the winter months. Having access to the guild has benefited not only my work, but has also given me a community that is willing to help lift each other up so we all grow as makers, craftspeople, and artists.
Now, nearing the end of January 2025 I’m truly honored to be a part of the guild and to be able to have the opportunity to have my work featured for the “Mug of the Month”. This series of 15 mugs represents my current place along my clay journey. These are some of the best that I’ve made to date, along with a glaze combination that has taken months of homework and weeks of testing to get them where they are. I’m excited about my future clay and glaze endeavors just as much as I’m excited about continuing to participate and be a part of this guild.
From the bottom of my heart,
Thank you to the Guild and its members
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