Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1466725
Can you describe a time when you first realized Can you describe a time when you first realized that creating was something you absolutely that creating was something you absolutely had to do? had to do? I got the bug in my first ceramics class at the I got the bug in my first ceramics class at the University of Kansas in 1966. I felt an immediate University of Kansas in 1966. I felt an immediate connection to the clay and the process of taking connection to the clay and the process of taking this formless, soft material and making something this formless, soft material and making something permanent and useful with it. I had started college permanent and useful with it. I had started college with an interest in science, and I loved the fact that with an interest in science, and I loved the fact that I could use some of my chemistry training when I could use some of my chemistry training when working with glaze formulation. I also had a working with glaze formulation. I also had a wonderful teacher who inspired me to continue. wonderful teacher who inspired me to continue. What inspires you? What inspires you? Nature, especially landscape and geology, and Nature, especially landscape and geology, and folk pottery from the US, Japan, England, Africa folk pottery from the US, Japan, England, Africa and many other cultures. I also find firing wood and many other cultures. I also find firing wood kilns fascinating and challenging to understand kilns fascinating and challenging to understand the interesting things that happen to clay and the interesting things that happen to clay and glazes in that unique atmosphere. Food also glazes in that unique atmosphere. Food also inspires me to make pieces for serving and inspires me to make pieces for serving and cooking. cooking. Would you like to introduce yourself? Would you like to introduce yourself? I'm a potter and a retired Professor of Art at Mercer I'm a potter and a retired Professor of Art at Mercer University, where I taught ceramics, drawing and University, where I taught ceramics, drawing and design. I retired in 2009 to have time work in my design. I retired in 2009 to have time work in my studio at home. I make mostly wood fired, useful studio at home. I make mostly wood fired, useful stoneware pottery in either of two wood burning stoneware pottery in either of two wood burning kilns. One kiln is a Japanese style "anagama" which kilns. One kiln is a Japanese style "anagama" which roughly translates as "cave kiln." It is a large, single roughly translates as "cave kiln." It is a large, single chamber continuously fired for five days to create chamber continuously fired for five days to create natural, melted, wood ash surfaces. The smaller natural, melted, wood ash surfaces. The smaller kiln is wood fired and salt glazed at the end of a kiln is wood fired and salt glazed at the end of a one-day firing. one-day firing. What does "being creative" mean to you? What does "being creative" mean to you? I believe that inspiration comes from hard work. I believe that inspiration comes from hard work. My work has developed slowly over time with My work has developed slowly over time with occasional flashes of insight. As a maker of useful occasional flashes of insight. As a maker of useful things, I see what I do with a jar or a cup as similar things, I see what I do with a jar or a cup as similar to a musician interpreting a piece of music. I to a musician interpreting a piece of music. I interpret the idea of a vase or a bowl, hopefully, in interpret the idea of a vase or a bowl, hopefully, in a unique way, like a musician might in performing a unique way, like a musician might in performing a sonata or an etude. a sonata or an etude. Roger Jamison 4