A little about me

A little about me:

My earliest masterpiece was created during the fourth grade when I made a pinch pot in art class. My mom still proudly displays this piece in the depths of the basement on a shelf behind the washer and dryer.

During my high school years I took a ceramic arts course primarily focused on handbuilding. The classroom was equipped with a few electric wheels and I was given free reign to tinker. With no formal instruction, I managed some half decent and a few hideously ugly doorstops. These overly thick and heavy works keep the pinch pot company.

I entered college mostly forgetting about my short lived adventures with clay. Having no idea what to major in, I somehow gravitated towards the math and sciences, eventually deciding to pursue engineering, and finally deciding to specialize in ceramics and materials. In 2002 I graduated from Rutgers University with a B.S. in Ceramics and Materials Science and Engineering. After taking up a career dealing mostly with metallurgical issues, I got an itch to start throwing again.

During the fall of 2003 I began taking wheel throwing classes at The Center for Clay Art now located in Lake Hiawatha, NJ. It proved to be frustrating, challenging, and extremely rewarding. Since then I have been developing my skills and techniques, primarily focusing on pieces that I like to think of as functional art.

In July 2006 I finally decided on a name for myself and mustered the courage to post a few items for sale on Etsy. I have only sold a handful of items, but the pure joy I experience every time I get the transactional email from etsy is unlike any other.

To this day I continue to to take classes but now I also instruct one night a week at the studio where I first learned.

So what shall I blog about?

I dont believe I can teach anyone to throw by writing about it. Learning to throw is much like learning how to ride a bike or ski. It has a lot to do with developing muscle memory, not only in your hands, but in your posture from your wrists to your elbows to your shoulders. Before anything becomes second nature, a lot of patience and concentration must be exercised.

This blog is intended for those who have a little experience with throwing. My intent here is to pass along a little creative inspiration, some project ideas, and few tips and pointers. Heck, maybe I will learn a few things myself along the way.