Greg Lamont on tue 2 jan 01
For me it started my sophomore year (1972) in my first college career at
Columbia College (Columbia, MO) with Ed Collings. After getting fellow
classmate (and, at the time, music major) Pete Pinnell hooked on clay, I
left school and moved to Chicago where I studied with Bruce Cash and others
at Lill Street Studios. A few "fits and starts" with clay over a period of
many years until I moved to Ames, Iowa and, lo and behold, met up again with
my good buddy Pete (who had by then long forsaken music for clay) and he got
me going again. I decided to finish my undergraduate degree and studied
with Ingrid Lilligren at Iowa State and am happy to say that I'm still at
it, working in my studio and teaching ceramics at The Workspace, a
"community arts center on the ISU campus.
Greg
http://www.lamontpottery.com
-----Original Message-----
From: mel jacobson
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Date: Tuesday, January 02, 2001 4:51 AM
Subject: potters family tree
>but......we did talk about starting a clayart family tree.
>we want to know:
>who started you in clay?
>what was the influence?
>what other potters have you influenced?
>
>so:
mel jacobson on tue 2 jan 01
nils and i have talked and discussed things now for four days.
it will take me months to digest it all. what a good time...i am
a fortunate friend.
but......we did talk about starting a clayart family tree.
we want to know:
who started you in clay?
what was the influence?
what other potters have you influenced?
so:
take me for example,
mackenzie
lou as friend
uchida
wild as friend
as a teacher...those hundreds out there that make pots still, that learned
from me.
don't know how to do this, but i think something will emerge.
maybe just a p.s. on your posts...
like:
mel
mackenzie was my first teacher.
nils was in michigan last week and stopped and visited j.t.
abernathy,(still making pots)
his first teacher at the u of michigan. started him thinking.
From:
Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.A.
web site: http://www.pclink.com/melpots
TERRANCE LAZAROFF on tue 2 jan 01
------Original Message------
From: mel jacobson
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Sent: January 2, 2001 10:44:51 AM GMT
Subject: potters family tree
nils and i have talked and discussed things now for four days.
it will take me months to digest it all. what a good time...i am
a fortunate friend.
but......we did talk about starting a clayart family tree.
we want to know:
who started you in clay?
what was the influence?
what other potters have you influenced?
Great idea Mel.
Here are a few quick bullets.
*I think we should go slow with this and do it right. What we will need is
a format that will facilitate the compilation of information.
*I believe we should search out all potters not just clayart members.
*Maybe we need some form of data bank where the information can be stored
and sorted.
*The questions that will form the links of the family tree have to be
thought out to ensure that we maintain a clear line of influence.
*Perhaps a formal paper format could be put together. Maybe photos. Who
knows.
Just a few ideas
Terrance
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Cindy Strnad on tue 2 jan 01
My dad started me in clay.
He bought me a pottery wheel for Christmas, and when I learned what pottery
wheels cost, I felt very motivated to learn to use the dang thing.
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
earthenv@gwtc.net
http://www.earthenvesselssd.com
tomsawyer on tue 2 jan 01
Mel,
When I was an active practicing oncologist, there was a very famous
radiation oncologist by the name of Gilbert Fletcher. I made lots of points
with him at a meeting when I introduced him as my "intellectual
grandfather". I trained under an oncologist who trained under Dr. Fletcher.
He always remembered me after that and referred to me on several occasions
as his "grandchild". Therefore those of you that have been teachers most
likely have lots of "potter grandchildren".
Tom Sawyer
tsawyer@cfl.rr.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "mel jacobson"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2001 2:44 AM
Subject: potters family tree
> nils and i have talked and discussed things now for four days.
> it will take me months to digest it all. what a good time...i am
> a fortunate friend.
>
>
> but......we did talk about starting a clayart family tree.
> we want to know:
> who started you in clay?
> what was the influence?
> what other potters have you influenced?
>
> so:
> take me for example,
> mackenzie
> lou as friend
> uchida
> wild as friend
> as a teacher...those hundreds out there that make pots still, that learned
> from me.
> don't know how to do this, but i think something will emerge.
> maybe just a p.s. on your posts...
> like:
> mel
> mackenzie was my first teacher.
>
> nils was in michigan last week and stopped and visited j.t.
> abernathy,(still making pots)
> his first teacher at the u of michigan. started him thinking.
>
> From:
> Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.A.
> web site: http://www.pclink.com/melpots
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
Tommy Humphries on tue 2 jan 01
I guess the first time I really remember watching pots being made, I was
five,and watching my dad working on the wheel. He was talking to my cousin
(also a potter) about working with his father and grandfather in Alabama and
Missisippi back in the 30's . The process amazed me, and as I grew I
watched my brother learn the trade and become a potter. My Dad always wanted
us kids to do better than he...working as a production potter was a hard,
backbreaking trade, especially raising 4 kids on piece wages.
When I graduated high school, I worked a few odd jobs around, never really
giving pottery much thought, I was always encouraged to find a job away from
clay, but I suppose that after three previous generations in my family, it
was in my blood. I got my first pottery job in 1982, working with my Dad and
Brother, finishing pots and pulling handles for minimum wage.
It wasn't long before the pull of the wheel made itself known, I started
playing around in my spare time, making messes mostly, till they took pity
on me and showed me how to center a ball of clay...that first saturday
afternoon I made 20 dog bowls, I have never looked back.
Trying to name the ones who influence you in your work, is a complicated
thing. There is of course my Dad, E.J. Humphries, who in his 60+ years of
pottery making must have had an influence on many, My Mom...Betty, who met
my dad while working the jigger wheel at Marshall Pottery. My Grandfathers,
of which I only got to know one...Clayton Thomas who worked the central and
east texas clayfields from the 20's through the 50's. He spent much of his
life working at Love Field pottery in Dallas, along with his brothers, and
uncles. My Brother John, who took up the trade 15 years before me, had a
guiding hand there as well. These are the Great Motivators behind my
work...Tradition, and Blood
Then there are the influential people outside my family...CD Stegal, the
Master machinist who lived across the road... He taught me to think and
innovate, to see a need for a tool and make it. David Bradley...The first
"studio potter" that I ever knew. My Dad liked him from the day he started
working with him, even though he was an "artist??". The potters we worked
around never considered pots as art...It was a trade, we were laborers. Art
was considered playing. David began challenging those ideas, even as he was
learning to apply our techniques to his work.
Sandy Peterson... My first studio work came when we worked together in her
garage pottery. She gave me the confidence to explore a side of myself that
had been hidden until then. She tought me that there was more than one way
to express my emotions, and under her care I blossomed into something
resembling an artist.
The list of influences can go on and on, The names would be meaningless to
you, though to me they are all heroes, Clyde Hutchinson, Pete Payne, Red
Truesdale, Jerry Kuhn, Raymond Harris, Kenneth Wingo, Lawrence Houston,
General Lunsford....Names lost in anonyminity posted here as a testament to
hard work and a dedication to their craft.
My everyday work is much the same as the work my Father was doing 60 years
ago, the forms are the same, the glaze is the same, all passed from one
generation to the next. I only hope that the young potters that I work with
will take some of the knowledge that I gleaned from these people with them.
Tommy Humphries
Photos here http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=939179&a=6869600
Mike Gordon on tue 2 jan 01
Mel,
Great idea!
first teacher - Viola Frey, Vernon Koykendahl, Calif. College of Arts
And Crafts
Mike Gordon
Cantello Studios on tue 2 jan 01
My Mother started me in clay some 30yr.ago.She started in Santa Barbara and
took class at Big Cheek Pottery in the 60's. That's the first time I saw
real throwing and I think that's were I first got hooked. The homemade beer
that Bruce made got me wasted as well. What a trip that was Big Creek was
really happening in those days. Hippies they were fun times clay is a good
thing Chris at Cantellostudios.com I'm going down to Monterey on the 6 to
work with two saber heads to get this web page thing done, they say Chris
don't worry about it we can teach you all about Dream Wavers. I say HELP I'm
just a potter do I really need to know all this stuff? I guess its learn or
burn the bucks O'well. Chris
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of Cindy Strnad
Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2001 7:35 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: potters family tree
My dad started me in clay.
He bought me a pottery wheel for Christmas, and when I learned what pottery
wheels cost, I felt very motivated to learn to use the dang thing.
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
earthenv@gwtc.net
http://www.earthenvesselssd.com
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Don Jones on tue 2 jan 01
Don Jones' potters family tree:
Dorothy Bernson, started me in clay at the Univesity of Utah in 1965
followed by:
Mel Fowler - Utah - showed me that there were no limits to throwing.
Peter Volkous - Utah and Montana - through demonstrations and lectures
inspired me to art.
Paul Soldner - Montana - through demonstrations inspired me that pottery
can be made and fired almost anywhere with almost anything.
Francis Senska (Volkous's teacher) - Montana
James Martin - Bakersfield (the best Raku artist next to Candone Wharton in
the US) These two showed me the next step in Raku after Soldner.
Potters I have influenced? I have no idea. I'd like to know that myself
I've taught a few just like most.
>nils and i have talked and discussed things now for four days.
>it will take me months to digest it all. what a good time...i am
>a fortunate friend.
>
>
>but......we did talk about starting a clayart family tree.
>we want to know:
>who started you in clay?
>what was the influence?
>what other potters have you influenced?
>
>so:
>take me for example,
>mackenzie
>lou as friend
>uchida
>wild as friend
>as a teacher...those hundreds out there that make pots still, that learned
>from me.
>don't know how to do this, but i think something will emerge.
>maybe just a p.s. on your posts...
>like:
>mel
>mackenzie was my first teacher.
>
>nils was in michigan last week and stopped and visited j.t.
>abernathy,(still making pots)
>his first teacher at the u of michigan. started him thinking.
>
>From:
>Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.A.
>web site: http://www.pclink.com/melpots
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.
www.highfiber.com/~claysky
Elca Branman on tue 2 jan 01
I was driving around in a VW beetle with my 3 daughters, ages 2,3,4
hoping that 2 out of 3 would fall asleep for their pm nap when I passed a
sign that said,simply,"Pottery".
I turned down the driveway, met Karen Karnes and signed up for a once a
week evening class.(Michael Zakin was in the same class.).knew
immediately that i was hooked, and built a kiln within 6 months...Jim
McKinnell 's plans.
The influence remains..form over decoration every time..
Elca Branman.. in Sarasota,Florida,USA
elcab1@juno.com
________________________________________________________________
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Sue Beach on tue 2 jan 01
Took a class at a local art store - young college student; fresh from clay
class at the university; told me lots of untrue things; but I was hooked
and needed more
Then my husband called the father of an old friend and asked if he knew of
any classes for a beginner like me... The fellow was the retired head of
the ceramics program at the local university - Marvin Reichle. Marvin
agreed to teach me (and a couple of other late-comers to clay) privately;
wanted to get his hands back in clay. He is a great mentor; has influenced
many potters. Still is teaching me. I hope forever! I'll never learn all
he can teach....
Sue Beach
Muncie, Indiana
At 04:44 AM 01/02/2001 -0600, you wrote:
>nils and i have talked and discussed things now for four days.
>it will take me months to digest it all. what a good time...i am
>a fortunate friend.
>
>
>but......we did talk about starting a clayart family tree.
>we want to know:
>who started you in clay?
>what was the influence?
>what other potters have you influenced?
>
>so:
>take me for example,
>mackenzie
>lou as friend
>uchida
>wild as friend
>as a teacher...those hundreds out there that make pots still, that learned
>from me.
>don't know how to do this, but i think something will emerge.
>maybe just a p.s. on your posts...
>like:
>mel
>mackenzie was my first teacher.
>
>nils was in michigan last week and stopped and visited j.t.
>abernathy,(still making pots)
>his first teacher at the u of michigan. started him thinking.
>
>From:
>Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.A.
>web site: http://www.pclink.com/melpots
>
>___________________________________________________________________________
___
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
Sue Beach
Muncie, IN
sbeach@iquest.net
Frederich, Tim on wed 3 jan 01
Mel,
My first teacher back in the 60's was El Jahr, who came from the University
of Wisconsin. At Ohio State I was fortunate to have the influence of Paul
Bogatay, Margaret Fetzer and Gene Friley. Through the years I have had
the pleasure of friendship and association with wonderful potters and clay
artists from all over the world. My association with Orton and belonging to
Clayart has also contributed to my influence and fulfillment. My students
through the years hopefully have recieved influence from me as I have been
influenced by them.
Clay has the same fantastic quality and allure for me today as it did when i
first touched it 35 years ago.
Its been a wonderful journey.
Best regards and the dots or name badges should be blue for NCECA,
Tim Frederich
-----Original Message-----
From: mel jacobson [mailto:melpots@PCLINK.COM]
Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2001 5:45 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: potters family tree
nils and i have talked and discussed things now for four days.
it will take me months to digest it all. what a good time...i am
a fortunate friend.
but......we did talk about starting a clayart family tree.
we want to know:
who started you in clay?
what was the influence?
what other potters have you influenced?
so:
take me for example,
mackenzie
lou as friend
uchida
wild as friend
as a teacher...those hundreds out there that make pots still, that learned
from me.
don't know how to do this, but i think something will emerge.
maybe just a p.s. on your posts...
like:
mel
mackenzie was my first teacher.
nils was in michigan last week and stopped and visited j.t.
abernathy,(still making pots)
his first teacher at the u of michigan. started him thinking.
From:
Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.A.
web site: http://www.pclink.com/melpots
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Wesley C. Rolley on wed 3 jan 01
>From what I have seen on this topic, those who have been quick to reply
have had very reconizable names that they have been able to honor. Many of
us do not, but still make our way. So, I will have to tell a short story of
this journey. I grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona and always had an
appreciation for the Native American pottery of the Southwest. I spent
many Sunday afternoons at the Museum of Northern Arizona, going through
their collection and gaining an appreciation for the Anasazi and Sinagua
culture. This interest continued and, in the early 1970's I moved to
Tulsa, OK, where I made the acquaintenance of a Cherokee potter, Inez
Running Rabbit. I still did not make pots, but spent many an hour
discussing things that she did which were unique.
In 1975, my wife and I went to visit her parents in Japan and I became
acquainted with a number of the various pottery styles from Japan. I fell
in love with Bizen pottery, especially the work of Fujiwara Kei. Before
this vacation (5 weeks) was over, I could walk into an exhibition of Bizen
work and spot the Fujiwara pieces at a glance. It was a difference of
quality. My eye was getting better. We visited Mashiko, where I purchased
a number of pieces, including a plate by Shimaoka.
Several years later, while moving from Tulsa to California, I stopped on
the Santa Domingo reservation and spent a morning visiting Blue Corn. I
also purchased one of her pieces. She was a great potter who is not as
well known as some of her contemporaries. I also introduced my family to
the Museum of Northern Arizona and purchased there a vase by Santana and
Adam. Adam was the son of Maria Martinez.
Still, I did not make pots, but my eye was getting better.
In 1988, I had the opportunity to be transferred to Tokyo and spent 5 years
living there with IBM paying my rent. It was great. I went to every major
pottery exhibit that I could get to. Even when we went shopping we would
stop at one of the major department stores in Tokyo, all of which have
exhibition galleries and a lot of very good pottery. I was there for 5
years. With all of that, my eye continued to improve. I have since been
back and visited the Bizen area as well as Kanezawa.
I only started to work with clay seriously less than 2 years ago. Since
then I have had a lot of teachers. Almost all of them are right here on
Clayart; mel, Tony Clennell, David Hendley, Craig Martell, Hank Murrow,
John Baymore, John Hesselberth, Ron Roy, Dannon, Ivor Lewis, Johnathan
Kaplan, Paul Taylor, Vince Pitelka, and many more whose advice I have
taken, but whom I have never met. I still have not gone to any school
and the only workshop that I have taken was conducted by Acoma potters
Dolores and Emma, daughters of Lucy Lewis.
I do not try to make Indian pots. My technique is not what it could be,
but every firing is better than the last. But I have had a long training
of my eye and I firmly believe that, to paraphrase the words of another
Japanese potter, Kato .... One can not create higher then your eye.
Wes
Wes Rolley
"Happiness is to be fully engaged in the activity that you believe in and,
if you are very good at it, well that's a bonus." -- Henry Moore
http://www.refpub.com
Frederich, Tim on thu 4 jan 01
-----Original Message-----
From: Frederich, Tim
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2001 11:13 AM
To: 'Ceramic Arts Discussion List'
Subject: RE: potters family tree
Mel,
My first teacher back in the 60's was El Jahr, who came from the University
of Wisconsin. At Ohio State I was fortunate to have the influence of Paul
Bogatay, Margaret Fetzer and Gene Friley. Through the years I have had
the pleasure of friendship and association with wonderful potters and clay
artists from all over the world. My association with Orton and belonging to
Clayart has also contributed to my influence and fulfillment. My students
through the years hopefully have recieved influence from me as I have been
influenced by them.
Clay has the same fantastic quality and allure for me today as it did when i
first touched it 35 years ago.
Its been a wonderful journey.
Best regards and the dots or name badges should be blue for NCECA,
Tim Frederich
-----Original Message-----
From: mel jacobson [mailto:melpots@PCLINK.COM]
Sent: Tuesday, January 02, 2001 5:45 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: potters family tree
nils and i have talked and discussed things now for four days.
it will take me months to digest it all. what a good time...i am
a fortunate friend.
but......we did talk about starting a clayart family tree.
we want to know:
who started you in clay?
what was the influence?
what other potters have you influenced?
so:
take me for example,
mackenzie
lou as friend
uchida
wild as friend
as a teacher...those hundreds out there that make pots still, that learned
from me.
don't know how to do this, but i think something will emerge.
maybe just a p.s. on your posts...
like:
mel
mackenzie was my first teacher.
nils was in michigan last week and stopped and visited j.t.
abernathy,(still making pots)
his first teacher at the u of michigan. started him thinking.
From:
Minnetonka, Minnesota, U.S.A.
web site: http://www.pclink.com/melpots
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Stephani Stephenson on fri 5 jan 01
Stephani Stephenson is a knobby twig ,sprouting from the following limbs
of the great ,sweet tree.
My first teacher:
Tom Dimond, Eastern Oregon U.
his teacher, Clayton Bailey ( and probably others I don't
know about)
My subsequent teachers:
George Kokis, University of Oregon.
His teachers: Dan Rhodes, Val Cushing and Ted Randall
Bob James , University of Oregon
His teachers: Maija Grotell and Laura Andreason (sp?)
Doug Kaigler at the U of O really helped me understand and fire kilns.
Sculptors Robert Hess, Salem ,Oregon: Tom Morandi, and Paul Buckner .
Early influential workshops with
M.C. Richards
Ulla Viotti (Swedish ceramist)
Rudy Autio, Montana. His teacher Frances Senska, Montana State.
Susanna Denet, First Mesa ,AZ,
Jean Cochran on fri 5 jan 01
I was born and reared in Florida. I went to Mexico several times and
fell in love with the pottery at El Mercado in Guadalajara and
Talaquepaque. Did not see any potters working, just loved the pottery.
An art teacher friend, Kathy Battles, and I were doing batiks one day
and she gave me a little piece of clay and said "I think you'll like
this. Just be sure to have a flat bottom on your piece so it doesn't
tilt over." I loved that. Still have not seen a potter work.
A couple of years later a realtor friend, Dodie Haxby, saw a wheel for
sale while she was listing a house. She said "I don't know if I can
sell your house, but I'll bet I know someone who will buy that wheel."
For $50.00, I had my first kick wheel and about two pounds of clay.
Still had not seen a potter work. It was a mystery. I had my two sons
kick the wheel while I threw my first two pieces. Ye Gods, I was
hooked.
My husband bought me "Charles Count's Pottery Workshop". I taught
myself to throw out of this book.
Where to buy clay? Someone told me about a potter named Lee Shanks who
lived two and one half hours away. This is the Lee Shanks who invented
"The Grabber Pad" and "The Best Darned Kiln Wash In The Worls" sold
through Axners. He is an inventor and investigator of clay knowledge.
He sold me clay and told me lots of stuff. He came and helped me
through my first bisque firing, taught me to load a bisque and to fire
my kiln. I had my wheel on a small deck outside my trailer. A small
bedroom turned into my glazing and storage. I was off and running.
A potter friend, Jim Flynn, taught me to load my kiln for glaze firing
and to glaze fire. He came over one day and just sat by my side and
said stuff like "Faster, faster, why are you picking up that tool, get
that clay up off the wheel."
I took Ceramics I and II at St. Johns River Community College, from
Olivia Lay. She was an inspiration to me to pay attention to detail, to
always strive for excellence, and she gave me confidence, taught me to
read glaze recipes, load and fire the kilns at the school. My husband
built me a small, rustic studio in the woods. We bought a Shimpo and an
Olympic 10 cu. ft. gas fired kiln.
Moved to Kentucky and, through workshops and personal contact, have been
influenced by Sarah Frederick (I now spray on glazes with a compressor,
which derived from spraying on under glazes with a mouth sprayer).
Learned about raku, Phoenix fast fired wood kiln firing, anagama firing,
pit firing from such potters as Mike Imes and Ron Knight.
Kentucky does a lot for its craftspeople. I am a member of the Kentucky
Guild of Artists & Craftsmen and do shows in Berea with them. I could
write a volume, just of this Guild; they are upward bound! There, among
other things, I see other potters and learn what they do that I wish to
emulate and what some others do that I wish to avoid. I am, also, a
member of the Kentucky Crafts Marketing Program.
These are my teachers. The galleries at which I show are, also, my
teachers.
I know this is long and I apologize for the length. You all probably
don't even know the people who taught me, but I thought it morally
imperative to say their names.
Jean Wadsworth Cochran
Fox Hollow Pottery
New Haven, KY
Kurt Wild on fri 5 jan 01
Assuming many of us (Clayarters) may be more visual than cognitive, I
second Nils' ideas of a graphic family tree in the Clayart room at NCECA.
How might it work??? don't know but maybe a big paper sheet could be put up
with Clayarters writing down only the name of the person from whom they got
their start then writing down their own name and drawing a line between the
two. If the name of the person from whom they got their start was already
their then all they'd have to do is write their own name and draw the
line. The whole thing could get pretty complicated but I think it could be
fun!!!
Kurt
email: KURT.L.WILD@uwrf.edu
website: http://wwwpp.uwrf.edu/~kw77
Andi Bauer on fri 5 jan 01
I'm responding for both me and my husband (Rudy Bauer) who is not on clayart.
At age 44 (approximately), I was trying to finish my college courses and
was feeling like there was nothing that appealed to me (changed major about
6 times) and my stepson suggested that I take a ceramics class with him at
San Diego Mesa community college from Patricia Yockey.. Well, I never
finished my degree classes, but have taken several ceramics courses since
then. I took classes at the University of California San Diego Crafts
Center from Paul Lindsley and Ed Thompson and a workshop with Mel and
Dannon. Right now I am in a hiatus from clay because of chemo (Dr.'s
orders) but hope to be back into it full force by the middle of February.
Rudy got into clay by virtue of seeing me and his son, Chris talking about
it nonstop and once we got a used kickwheel (for me), he demanded to be
taught. He has also been influenced by the people at the UCSD Crafts
Center, David Cusick, and his current mentor, Eleanor Murphey at Sunstone
Gallery, where he is doing an apprenticeship.
Andi in San Diego
thanks,
Andi
email: mailto:acody@ucsd.edu
vince pitelka on sat 6 jan 01
> How might it work??? don't know but maybe a big paper sheet could be put
up
> with Clayarters writing down only the name of the person from whom they
got
> their start then writing down their own name and drawing a line between
the
> two. If the name of the person from whom they got their start was already
> their then all they'd have to do is write their own name and draw the
> line. The whole thing could get pretty complicated but I think it could
be
> fun!!!
Kurt -
I think this is a great idea. How about if we just have a huge sheet of
white paper divided into three columns, tacked up on the wall or on a board.
In the center column each person could write the names of one or two of
his/her most important teachers. Each subsequent person can check to see if
their teachers are already on the list, and if not they can add them. Each
person would write their own name in one of the side columns, and draw lines
in colored ink from their name to the names of their one or two most
important teachers. It could get a bit chaotic, but I think it would be a
very effective display.
Best wishes -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Home - vpitelka@dekalb.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
vince pitelka on sun 7 jan 01
> Has therebeen any thought about the inclusion of those of us that can't
> attend? Mike Gordon
Mike -
I appreciate your desire to participate, but it we open it up to people not
attending NCECA it will immediately swell entirely out of workable
proportions. Perhaps we should do this one just with Clayart people
attending NCECA, in order to keep it manageable in a visual chart form, and
we can document the results and publish them on Clayart for everyone to
enjoy. Okay?
But I think it would be very interesting to conduct an online poll of all
Clayart members willing to participate, asking for the name of their most
influential teacher, to be sent offlist to someone who volunteers to collect
and process this information. I'd love to do it, but cannot possibly take
it on in the near future. Anyone else out there willing to do it?
Best wishes -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Home - vpitelka@dekalb.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
vince pitelka on sun 7 jan 01
> In Studio Potter years back Ginny Marsh and TomMarsh( not sure if Tom was
> involved with the article?) did a potters family tree for themselves.
Having
> known many graduates of the program at University of Louisville where they
> taught, it was clear that the students were cognizant of their "family"
> tree. It is also apparent in their work. Read the current Ceramics Monthly
> the acticle on Laura Ross as one telling example.
When I was in grad school at U-Mass Frank Ozereko had us do that. It was
amazing how often the linneage of teachers traced back to Charles Fergus
Binns at Alfred.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Home - vpitelka@dekalb.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
Christopher Greenman on sun 7 jan 01
In Studio Potter years back Ginny Marsh and TomMarsh( not sure if Tom was
involved with the article?) did a potters family tree for themselves. Having
known many graduates of the program at University of Louisville where they
taught, it was clear that the students were cognizant of their "family"
tree. It is also apparent in their work. Read the current Ceramics Monthly
the acticle on Laura Ross as one telling example.
Chris Greenman
Kurt Wild on sun 7 jan 01
At 08:52 PM 01/06/2001 -0600, you wrote:
> > How might it work??? don't know but maybe a big paper sheet could be put
>up.................
>
>........... How about if we just have a huge sheet of
>white paper divided into three columns, tacked up on the wall or on a board.
>In the center column each person could write the names of one or two of
>his/her most important teachers.
Vince: I agree especially with writing only one (or maybe the most
significant to them) name.
>.............and draw lines
>............... It could get a bit chaotic, .............
But why not. I think it would be informative and great fun.
Kurt
email: KURT.L.WILD@uwrf.edu
website: http://wwwpp.uwrf.edu/~kw77
Mike Gordon on sun 7 jan 01
Hi,
Has therebeen any thought about the inclusion of those of us that can't
attend? Mike Gordon
flyifr on sun 7 jan 01
Kurt Wild is the reason that I am still making pots 40 years later...I
was a senior at the
University of Wisconsin, River Falls when I took my first pottery class
which was from
Kurt. Forty years later, we are friends and still share our love of
making pots.
Bob Fritz
New Earth Pottery
SusanRaku@AOL.COM on mon 8 jan 01
Hi Jean. I really enjoyed reading your history in clay. You will have to
teach me a thing or two.
We are inbetween the ski slopes and the outdoor hottub and pool. I am
sitting here in a bathing suit in front of a fire, looking out at the deep
snow. Thursday I will be heading back into Denver to start working as a
juror for Cherry Creek.
love,
Susan
Tom Wirt/Betsy Price on mon 8 jan 01
Subject: Re: potters family tree
> > Has therebeen any thought about the inclusion of those of us that
can't
> > attend? Mike Gordon
>
> Mike -
> I appreciate your desire to participate, but it we open it up to
people not
> attending NCECA it will immediately swell entirely out of workable
> proportions. Perhaps we should do this one just with Clayart people
> attending NCECA, in order to keep it manageable in a visual chart
form, and
> we can document the results and publish them on Clayart for everyone
to
Vince...et al.
I don't have time to chase it either, but, just a thought, maybe
someone does. Is there one of the family tree type programs that
could be used to build this?
Tom
Beth Healy Donovan on tue 9 jan 01
Tom Wirt wrote:
Vince...et al.
I don't have time to chase it either, but, just a thought, maybe
someone does. Is there one of the family tree type programs that
could be used to build this?
You could use Access and create a database and then run a query or report to
see the connections. In fact, if anyone has an interest in this being done,
I can create a database which will track all the relationships. After all,
that's what a relational database is supposed to do!
Beth in Kansas
Better computer geek than potter - - but someday . . . .
debkaplan3 on wed 10 jan 01
Good Morning All,
Be happy to do the grunt working on the family tree. I'm great at
collecting & collating data & be happy to work with Beth if she creates a
data base. Since I'm brand new to this discussion group I'll give you my
potter's family tree.
I too began my professional life at U-Mass but my degrees were in
microbiology & secondary ed. I'm not sure that I new there was an art
department (only kidding). This was followed by an MBA and mucho years in
biotech / pharmaceut industry.
But after 2 kids, maintaining a marriage to a great guy who works tons of
hours & the death of my sweet brother, I started to re-evaluated my life.
Thus I began pottery classes at The Potter's Studio, Needham MA, with Jodi
Kuhlman and Steve Branfman where I received lot's of support & patience.
Then a family move brought me to CT & The Silvermine School of Art in New
Canaan. There Sheila Ross taught me technique, how to foster creativity with
in myself, the basics of electric & gas kiln firing, & gave tremendous
support (everytime I missed a class she would phone me at home & push me
forward). Again at Silvermine, Karen Ford, also 1 of my superior teachers,
organized a tremendous number of workshops (not to mention her Wednesday
classes for Wild Women). Thus I learned Raku firing & kiln building from
Steve, porcelain throwing from Angela Fina, throwing big with Bob Compton (&
at his 4 day worshop in beautiful VT, more raku, & pit, salt & wood firing,
the method of making native American pots from Dolores & Emma Lewis, &
etc..... Karen also dragged me to Mark Shapiros, Bennett Bean's, the sales
at Demarest, & NCECA. All an incredible experience. I'm now in NJ,
teaching at my home studio, & taking worshops at Peter's Valley. I've begun
working with Precious Metals Clay (thank you Chris Darway), & am now
incorporating it into my stoneware pieces. Phew I'm beginning to bore
myself!!!
Love to All at this wonderfully giving group. (Speedy recovery to Mel)
Debbie Kaplan
-----Original Message-----
When I was in grad school at U-Mass Frank Ozereko had us do that. It was
amazing how often the linneage of teachers traced back to Charles Fergus
Binns at Alfred.
- Vince
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Daryl McCracken on wed 10 jan 01
Beth,
I think the database is a good idea. I have always been aware of the
myriad connections throughout the world that pottery has created and would
very much like to expand my current writings to include at least a survey
of contemporary American potters. Let me know if I can help in any way.
Potentially, we could build something to be hosted online and added to in
that manner so everyone on clayart could simply find their place and
insert their name (hopefully with less chaos).
Daryl McCracken
On Tue, 9 Jan 2001 18:03:07 -0600, Beth Healy Donovan
wrote:
>Tom Wirt wrote:
> Vince...et al.
>
> I don't have time to chase it either, but, just a thought, maybe
> someone does. Is there one of the family tree type programs that
> could be used to build this?
>
>You could use Access and create a database and then run a query or report
to
>see the connections. In fact, if anyone has an interest in this being
done,
>I can create a database which will track all the relationships. After all,
>that's what a relational database is supposed to do!
>
>Beth in Kansas
>
>Better computer geek than potter - - but someday . . . .
>
>___________________________________________________________________________
___
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Joyce Lee on thu 11 jan 01
ok
Daryl McCracken wrote:
>
> Beth,
>
> I think the database is a good idea. I have always been aware of the
> myriad connections throughout the world that pottery has created and would
> very much like to expand my current writings to include at least a survey
> of contemporary American potters. Let me know if I can help in any way.
>
> Potentially, we could build something to be hosted online and added to in
> that manner so everyone on clayart could simply find their place and
> insert their name (hopefully with less chaos).
>
> Daryl McCracken
>
> On Tue, 9 Jan 2001 18:03:07 -0600, Beth Healy Donovan
> wrote:
>
> >Tom Wirt wrote:
> > Vince...et al.
> >
> > I don't have time to chase it either, but, just a thought, maybe
> > someone does. Is there one of the family tree type programs that
> > could be used to build this?
> >
> >You could use Access and create a database and then run a query or report
> to
> >see the connections. In fact, if anyone has an interest in this being
> done,
> >I can create a database which will track all the relationships. After all,
> >that's what a relational database is supposed to do!
> >
> >Beth in Kansas
> >
> >Better computer geek than potter - - but someday . . . .
> >
> >___________________________________________________________________________
> ___
> >Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> >
> >You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> >settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
> >
> >Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
Cyberpotter@AOL.COM on fri 12 jan 01
In a message dated 1/10/01 10:34:56 AM Eastern Standard Time,
debkaplan3@EMAIL.MSN.COM writes:
<< I too began my professional life at U-Mass but ... I'm not sure that I
knew there was an art department (only kidding). >>
Deb, if you spent time in Morrill, you couldn't miss the Iron Farts Center
oops I mean the Fine Arts Center!
Nancy in Cincinnati
(another double-degreed Umie)
Karen Sullivan on sun 14 jan 01
A magical metaphor of discovery of a path.
A wonderful image....thank you, and I would hope
we would all have experience with a gray house to guide us.
bamboo karen
on 1/14/01 2:56 PM, Bill and Sylvia Shirley at wshirley1@KSCABLE.COM wrote:
> This isn't really a proper response to the thread, but it's
> been on my mind.
>
> Many years ago, 18 or 20 or more, I was driving with my
> small son somewhere in the rural eastern half of Kansas,
> probably somewhat southeast, as I lived in Wichita at the
> time. I don't remember where we were going or had been. We
> passed a tiny gray/blue building, sitting back a little bit
> from the two-lane road, with a sign that read "Pottery".
> Picture the flat expanse of Kansas, where a tiny gray
> building popped up out of the wheat fields. I slowed the
> car as we went by, but did not stop. I think it was Sunday,
> and the shop was not open, but it had a large window across
> the front. Visible inside were shelves full of pots in
> various stages of completion. Not slipcast cookie jars and
> figurines, but bowls, vases and urns and things. You could
> see that the tiny space was crammed full. It looked so
> exciting and wonderful. It called to me somehow. I wish I
> had stopped the car and pressed my nose against the glass,
> but I hadn't.
>
> I don't know what this means, if it means anything at all,
> but it's interesting that I remember that little gray shop
> after all these years. Heck, I don't even remember what I
> had for lunch yesterday! All I can remember thinking at the
> time was "WOW". A few years later I started college, taking
> art classes, and discovered clay. I've thought of that
> little gray building often over the years. I don't know
> who's shop it was, or where it was located, but that potter
> was my first influence in pottery.
>
> Sylvia Shirley
> Pittsburg, Kansas
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
Bill and Sylvia Shirley on sun 14 jan 01
This isn't really a proper response to the thread, but it's
been on my mind.
Many years ago, 18 or 20 or more, I was driving with my
small son somewhere in the rural eastern half of Kansas,
probably somewhat southeast, as I lived in Wichita at the
time. I don't remember where we were going or had been. We
passed a tiny gray/blue building, sitting back a little bit
from the two-lane road, with a sign that read "Pottery".
Picture the flat expanse of Kansas, where a tiny gray
building popped up out of the wheat fields. I slowed the
car as we went by, but did not stop. I think it was Sunday,
and the shop was not open, but it had a large window across
the front. Visible inside were shelves full of pots in
various stages of completion. Not slipcast cookie jars and
figurines, but bowls, vases and urns and things. You could
see that the tiny space was crammed full. It looked so
exciting and wonderful. It called to me somehow. I wish I
had stopped the car and pressed my nose against the glass,
but I hadn't.
I don't know what this means, if it means anything at all,
but it's interesting that I remember that little gray shop
after all these years. Heck, I don't even remember what I
had for lunch yesterday! All I can remember thinking at the
time was "WOW". A few years later I started college, taking
art classes, and discovered clay. I've thought of that
little gray building often over the years. I don't know
who's shop it was, or where it was located, but that potter
was my first influence in pottery.
Sylvia Shirley
Pittsburg, Kansas
Les Crimp on sun 14 jan 01
Silvia -
Your "little gray building" story was just great. This is the stuff that
great dreams and marvelous books arise from. Thanks from a hopeless
romantic.
Les Crimp in Nanoose Bay, B.C. (on that Island in the Pacific)
lcrimp@home.com
Dannon Rhudy on fri 19 jan 01
>.....>who started you in clay?
>>what was the influence?
>>what other potters have you influenced?.......
My first clay teacher was Greg Reuter, who taught where
Louis Katz now teaches, Texas A&M, Corpus Christi. My
second formal teacher(s) were Elmer Taylor & Jerry Austin
at North Texas.
Strongest influences as teachers have been Mel Jacobson
and Kurt Wild, and Val Cushing - they all taught me ways
to think about what I'm doing. Doug Gray, who constantly
teaches me ways to see. And Nils Lou, who understands
brevity better than anyone I know. And Vince Pitelka, whose
mind is labyrinthian.
I don't know who, if any, I've influenced.
regards
Dannon Rhudy
Gayle Bair on fri 19 jan 01
Dannon,
You are much to modest!
You have influenced everyone who has been
taught, given a workshop, read an article
or posting, or bought a pot by you!
You will just have to adjust to that concept!
Gayle Bair-Bainbridge Island WA
>.....>who started you in clay?
>>what was the influence?
>>what other potters have you influenced?.......
Dannon wrote>
My first clay teacher was Greg Reuter, who taught where
Louis Katz now teaches, Texas A&M, Corpus Christi. My
second formal teacher(s) were Elmer Taylor & Jerry Austin
at North Texas.
Strongest influences as teachers have been Mel Jacobson
and Kurt Wild, and Val Cushing - they all taught me ways
to think about what I'm doing. Doug Gray, who constantly
teaches me ways to see. And Nils Lou, who understands
brevity better than anyone I know. And Vince Pitelka, whose
mind is labyrinthian.
I don't know who, if any, I've influenced.
regards
Dannon Rhudy
Les Crimp on fri 19 jan 01
Dannon -
You influenced many of us up here on Vancouver Island. We still talk about
your beautiful work and the way you work. Thanks a bunch!
Les Crimp in Nanoose Bay, B.C. (on that Island in the Pacific)
lcrimp@home.com
Diane G. Echlin on fri 19 jan 01
Dannon,
I envy your "pedigree"! Through clayart I've become familiar with the
works and words of these people, and I'm waiting for the time I can take
some workshops with them. It's the philosophies I admire, as much as
the instruction. I've had plenty of instruction, but my teachers seem
to have been so distant from the miracle of clay. Soon, though, soon!
Diane in Ct
Dannon Rhudy wrote:
>
> >.....>who started you in clay?
> >>what was the influence?
> >>what other potters have you influenced?.......
>
> My first clay teacher was Greg Reuter, who taught where
> Louis Katz now teaches, Texas A&M, Corpus Christi. My
> second formal teacher(s) were Elmer Taylor & Jerry Austin
> at North Texas.
>
> Strongest influences as teachers have been Mel Jacobson
> and Kurt Wild, and Val Cushing - they all taught me ways
> to think about what I'm doing. Doug Gray, who constantly
> teaches me ways to see. And Nils Lou, who understands
> brevity better than anyone I know. And Vince Pitelka, whose
> mind is labyrinthian.
>
> I don't know who, if any, I've influenced.
>
> regards
>
> Dannon Rhudy
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
Marta Matray Gloviczki on sat 20 jan 01
hi dannon,
if you dont know who did you influence, i am here
to say: me.
i never had the opportunity to take a wksp from you
-yet- i saw your work in gallery shows during nceca 2
years ago. i love your work, i learnt a lot from your
artikles i read: ordering chaos, getting it together
and the paper saggar firing. this last one i copied
several times for friends ( bacia just asked me to
send her a copy) ; i saw pics of your beautiful pieces
at the website of the unt... and i stood in line at
the cup sales in hope to get a cup of yours. (i
didnt.)
your texture, your colors, your writings, your
humor-broccoli- all inspire me.
thanks sooo much.
marta
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Linda Fletcher on mon 22 jan 01
My first introduction to clay was in a high school craft class...
we were introduced to various crafts...the only ones I remember are
enamelling on copper and clay. No wheels, only our hands and a few
simple tools, but it was love. I knew the clay and I would meet again=20
some day ! It took 12 years for me to finally find the time and a place
to learn, that was 1978.
I always wanted to go back and thank that teacher, Roy Voci, but by
the time I did, he had passed away...cancer at a relatively young age.
So I want to say it now:
"THANK YOU, MR.V.!!!
And all you other unsung teachers that teach and
inspire us and encourage us to find what will sooth our souls !"
Linda=20
mudsinger in NH
Paul Brinkmann on tue 23 jan 01
This is my story: Back in the late 30s or early 40s our family would
sometimes attend Sunday Mass at San Jose Mission ( now a National Park Site)
.. I must have been about 9 or 10 years old. After mass on day, as we were
exiting the mission, I noticed an elderly Hispanic gentelman, sitting in
from of the grainery building (which is about 50 yards from the church)
working on a kick potters wheel. I remember I was so intreagued and
amaised, I couldnt forget how he brought up the walls of clay into a
beautiful pot. At that time , the seed for love of pottery was planted,
but it wasent watered and didnt sprout until 1980 -81 when I took lessons on
the wheel at the Ft. Sam Houstons, Arts and Crafts Center. To this day, my
love of the wheel and pottery is as strong as ever. At age 70, am still
doing what I love to do.
Paul G. Brinkmann
6519 Carrie Lane
San Antonio, Texas 78218
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