Michael's Pottery



Michael was an extremely talented potter. He began "throwing" pottery at Orange Coast College in 1992. His talent was immediate and natural, as he had no complications even from the outset in learning how to "center" the clay. He had very large hands and their strength helped him to work beautifully with the clay. He had a real "touch" with his pots: they all have a finished look and a beauty to them, that, interestingly, he didn't often see.

This is my favorite. Michael made it in 1994.

When Michael moved to Boise, ID, in 1993, he continued his work in clay at Boise State University, studying with John Takehara. He told me many stories of his experiences in the classroom with this teacher, who influenced Michaels' love of the Orient and potters such as Shoji Hamada. Many times Mike would take his pots and grumble at them, seeing a small crack on the bottom and rendering it "worthless". He'd go out with a hammer and break the "tainted" pieces, and would often joke about using them for target practice if he didn't feel they were "perfect".

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