This past summer, we had the pleasure of re-connecting with the clay artist Raymon Elozua and his partner Micheline Gingras in Mountaindale, New York. It had been awhile since we had seen each other and the reunion was full of reminiscences and laughter with plenty of art on view. Both had invited us for the day to see Micheline’s art show in their Main Street gallery and to see Ray’s latest work in his converted gas station studio; Elozua.
Elozua Studio, Mountaindale, NY
Micheline Gingras in her art studio in Mountaindale
Located in Mountaindale in Sullivan County, the town has the feeling of being in a time gone by. Because it has not been overdeveloped, Mountaindale has kept its charm as a tiny, slightly rickety town in the Borscht Belt. It was a part of the Catskills where, in another era, many families from NYC spent their summers in little bungalows, fancy resorts, and on local farms. Many of those resorts and bungalows have been long abandoned or closed. It is easy to understand why Raymon was attracted to this unique Catskill landscape where dreams were dreamt, lived in, and then left behind. His early ceramic trompe-l’oeil sculptures speak to the idea of abandonment and loss.
A piece for Raymon's one man show at the Mint Museum in Charlotte, NC
Some of Raymon's work from the 1980's, on display in his studio
Jim Bailey and Raymon Elozua had been good friends at the beginning of their respective careers. In the early 70s, Elozua was starting his journey into the world of clay in NYC and Jim was venturing into the early stages of designing pottery equipment in upstate New York. The two had met at the Rhinebeck Craft Fair, and that first pottery tool, the Bailey Slab Roller, was a godsend for Raymon who was launching a line of slab built plates and bowls. He wanted one right away. The Bailey Slab Roller helped Raymon make a good living from his early creations in clay. We have one of his early bowls in our Bailey Pottery collection.
Bowl by Raymon Elozua, 1976
At Raymon’s studio, we were able to catch a glimpse of his latest work which is a far cry from the early bowls and plates of the 70's. He called it one of his final pieces. There is a feeling of organized chaos in this work, with each component supporting the vision and interest of a multi-faceted artist who uses combined objects to tell the story of his life.
A work in progress at Elozua Studio
We were also happy to see one of Raymon's earliest tools still on view in his studio: Bailey Slab Roller #3. Rarely used now, he will look for a new home for it either in a local school or craft center.
Jim and Raymon reflect on earlier times
After a long and successful career, both Raymon and Micheline have settled into a town where they are loved and appreciated. They seem to have adjusted very well to a life in the country after spending most of their lives in NYC.
Be sure to visit Raymon and Micheline's websites to learn more about them and their many projects!
