#madewithabailey Interview with Darin R. Gehrke

"I am inspired by the thought of someone using my pottery. That makes me excited to work." These motivations are from South Carolina based artist, Darin R. Gehrke. Darin makes pottery forms that are both soft and bold, architectural and natural. We especially love how Darin adds dimension to his pottery through speckled clay, faceted surfaces, slip brushwork, and lively glazes.

How did you get started working in clay?     

I had the pleasure of taking my first clay class with Chris Staley at Penn State where I was an art education major. Watching Chris create and listening to him speak about making pots inspired me to make clay my focus. After teaching high school ceramics and sculpture for several years, I had the opportunity to live in China. I traveled throughout Asia exploring all things ceramic. Returning to the States with so many ideas and sketches, I decided to transition into making pottery full time and have been doing so for the last fourteen years.

What Bailey products do you use to make your work and how do they help?    

I have a Bailey TL-2827 kiln. I really feel that the extra layer of insulation and the floor elements in these kilns enables an efficient, slow cool that creates a nice depth to my glazes. I also have a Bailey slab roller which is in use almost every day. My production has been increasing the last three years so I am hoping to add a Bailey mixer/pugmill to my studio in the near future.

What’s a tool that you could you not live without?

It would have to be my array of Mudtools ribs. I love how a good metal rib tightens up the surface of the clay.
 

What inspires you?

Chinese, Japanese and Korean ceramics. I am drawn to the forms and surfaces from each region that are timeless. I like to take some of those elements and mash them up when making my own work. I am also inspired by the thought of someone using my pottery. That makes me excited to work.

When you’re not creating ceramics, what do you enjoy doing?

I love bike rides with my wife and daughter. We have some great tree lined biking trails here in Greenville, SC. I also enjoy working in the garden. After living in New York City for ten years I am trying to get back to my gardening roots.

 
What are you excited to try next in the studio?

I have been wanting to rework my teapot spouts. After some sketches, I recently made a few pots with a new design with which I am very happy. Teapots are some of my favorite pots to make so I look forward to refining these shapes.

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