#MadewithaBailey

"I love that working with clay is a metaphor for life and involves important life skills such as patience and being “centered”. I’ve learned and re-learned these lessons and sure enough, pretty much every time I try to force something or move too quickly to the next part of the process, the results are not satisfying."

Fifteen years after graduating from High School, Tom Guell returned to the pottery wheel that he had loved so much during a senior year Independent Study in Pottery. He tells us about his journey juggling a full-time job as a union ironworker, a young family, and aspiring potter in rural Wisconsin.

A Guest Blog Post by Vanessa Mattsson-Boze. My love of clay started on the wheel, but since my time in the studio is so often piecemeal, I have found myself hand building more and more. These heart dishes started as a playful attempt at using up some random clay scraps, and have evolved over time as I have refined the form. They are relatively quick and uncomplicated, and a fitting Valentine’s Day project.

Barry Rhodes is a North Carolina based ceramic artist who has been working in clay for over 30 years. His thrown and hand-built forms combine beautiful patterning and organic glazing. The results are a dynamic combination of form and surface reminiscent of Japanese Oribe ware with a modern sensibility.

"The desire to try every possible iteration of an idea keeps me living in my studio," says Cheyenne Mallo, who is immersed in her studio, her community, and in nature. We love seeing how those worlds coalesce in her pottery work.

"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.

Shoshona Snow has been working in clay since her days as a student at our nearby SUNY New Paltz. She is also a long-time Bailey Showroom Customer. We caught up with Shoshona for a brief interview after she used the hashtag, #MadeWithaBailey on Instagram. Here, she talks about what inspires her intricately carved, and high-contrast, whimsical ceramics.

We caught up with Minnesota potter, Steven Showalter after he used the tag #madewithabailey on Instagram in this interview. We love Steven's rich, eye-catching pottery. Read on to learn about what inspires him to work in clay.

Lucy's command of her material is clearly evidenced in the pots, which she throws on her Bailey wheel. There is mastery in the subtle beauty of each of her forms. We love seeing the range of her work and hearing about her inspirations.