Artist and Owner of Blue Sage Pottery and Art Gallery
What led to your passion of pottery?
My parents collected pottery to use, so I grew up around hand-made pottery. I took a general ceramics class freshman year of high school and thought, “I can do this.” It wasn't until I got very sick fall of my freshman year at West Texas A&M that I looked back on what made me most happy. I was in the hospital, barely able to open my eyes and I looked back on what I enjoyed most and it was working with my hands and the clay in that ceramics class as a freshman in high school. Thankfully I recovered and enrolled in a general ceramics class when I went back to school where I met my wife, Megan, and we decided to go to the University of North Texas. Elmer Taylor was my professor and mentor at UNT, it’s funny because now we've come full circle, he sells some of his pots in our gallery now. I completed my B.F.A. degree in Ceramics and Glass at West Texas A&M University and my Masters of Fine Arts in Ceramics at University of North Texas.
You own Blue Sage Pottery and Art Studio with your wife, what is your favorite part about owning an art gallery?
I really enjoy all the different people that stop by, 10 years of hearing stories from all over the world is really exciting. You just never know who is going to walk in that door, and what they will have to say. I really wanted to work for myself, selling pottery made me realize that you rise to the basis of your ability, and there is a cycle of hard work and success that holds you accountable to yourself.
Favorite piece to make?
I like making boxes in all sizes, or big jars. The jars I make can be two to three feet, I also love the treadle wheel with all its’ movement. I’m addicted to the feel of the clay, and seeing your finger prints in what you make. I think life is all about the things you leave behind, and I’ll be leaving behind a transfer of energy and love that I’ve put into my work. What is your favorite Continental Clay body to work with? I’m open to all clay's, but my favorite is B-Clay with grog- it is indestructible. It’s work-ability is the best, I usually set it out in the sun to dry during the day then fire it at night. I never have any problems with it blistering. It works on all levels- from plates to big pots. |
|
What is your favorite part about working with Continental Clay Company?
I've really enjoyed working with a company with excellent customer service. Pottery has a lot of variables and things can go wrong quickly; It’s great to know that Continental Clay will be there to help if it does, and that you stand behind what you sell-that’s really important. Every person I've worked with has been amazing.
I've really enjoyed working with a company with excellent customer service. Pottery has a lot of variables and things can go wrong quickly; It’s great to know that Continental Clay will be there to help if it does, and that you stand behind what you sell-that’s really important. Every person I've worked with has been amazing.