Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/1466725
What kind of creative What kind of creative patterns, routines or rituals do patterns, routines or rituals do you have? you have? I work making small groups of I work making small groups of similar things, six bowls, a dozen similar things, six bowls, a dozen cups, two or three larger pots. I cups, two or three larger pots. I don't usually make sets, as I like don't usually make sets, as I like the pieces to evolve as I work. the pieces to evolve as I work. Again, I see this practice as Again, I see this practice as similar to a musician practicing similar to a musician practicing the same piece over and over, the same piece over and over, trying to get it right. trying to get it right. What's your favorite thing What's your favorite thing you've ever created? you've ever created? I don't think I've made it yet. I I don't think I've made it yet. I have a favorite in every kiln I have a favorite in every kiln I unload, but can't say I have one unload, but can't say I have one all-time favorite. all-time favorite. What are you trying to What are you trying to communicate with your art? communicate with your art? The answer to this can get The answer to this can get complicated. How and what complicated. How and what does pottery communicate? does pottery communicate? What is its vocabulary and how What is its vocabulary and how do we understand it? I think it's do we understand it? I think it's a bit like music without words, a a bit like music without words, a variety of abstract art. My simple variety of abstract art. My simple answer to this question is that I answer to this question is that I want my pottery to enhance the want my pottery to enhance the experience of using it. I hope my experience of using it. I hope my cup or my bowl can make those cup or my bowl can make those moments of eating, moments of eating, drinking or sharing food or drinking or sharing food or flowers more special. Handmade flowers more special. Handmade pottery connects the maker to pottery connects the maker to the user and plays a role in the the user and plays a role in the important family rituals of important family rituals of sharing food and time sharing food and time together. It is a foil for together. It is a foil for mass-produced consumer mass-produced consumer products that fill our present products that fill our present culture because it is the work of culture because it is the work of a single craftsman. And finally, a single craftsman. And finally, pottery connects us to the earth. pottery connects us to the earth. Wood fired pots in particular Wood fired pots in particular share the same geologic share the same geologic processes that created our processes that created our landscapes. landscapes. Which creative medium would Which creative medium would you love to pursue, but haven't you love to pursue, but haven't yet? yet? Perhaps clay sculpture, but I'm Perhaps clay sculpture, but I'm not done with pottery yet. not done with pottery yet. What's the best advice you What's the best advice you ever had about how to be ever had about how to be more creative? more creative? Go to the studio every day and Go to the studio every day and make the best work you can that make the best work you can that day. day. Who is your favorite artist, and Who is your favorite artist, and what draws you to them? what draws you to them? I love going to museums and I love going to museums and seeing works in a variety of seeing works in a variety of media both historical and media both historical and contemporary. But I'm not sure contemporary. But I'm not sure I can I name a single favorite as I can I name a single favorite as they are so different. For they are so different. For ceramics, Song Dynasty ceramics, Song Dynasty Chinese porcelain, 16th Century Chinese porcelain, 16th Century English slipware, Momoyama English slipware, Momoyama and Edo Japanese tea ware and Edo Japanese tea ware and storage jars, Sub-Saharan and storage jars, Sub-Saharan African earthenware, Abstract African earthenware, Abstract Expressionist ceramicists Volkos Expressionist ceramicists Volkos and Reitz, folk potters in the and Reitz, folk potters in the Leach-Hamada tradition and Leach-Hamada tradition and many more. I'm drawn to both many more. I'm drawn to both the clarity of the forms and the the clarity of the forms and the sure directness of the work. sure directness of the work. What is your dream project? What is your dream project? To still be making pottery when To still be making pottery when I'm 80. I'd also love to be using I'm 80. I'd also love to be using all local materials for my clay all local materials for my clay body and glazes. I'm still working body and glazes. I'm still working on that. on that. Above: Roger Jamison in his studio and his pottery 5