Studio

It is happening, folks. After nearly a decade of moving around and searching for the place to settle in and build my studio, I've finally made the jump and sunk my roots down here in the Berkshires of far western Massachusetts. At the end of May 2025, Clara and I closed on our sweet little house on an acre in Great Barrington. The property came with an old workshop structure which I am now deep into converting into my new pottery workshop. There is a long road ahead, but my goal is to be making pots in there by the end of Spring, and there are hopes of a wood kiln emerging here as well. Stay tuned for updates on the progress!

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Process

As with any potter, my process begins with my clay. The clay we choose to work with is our very first aesthetic decision. I have designed my own clay bodies (recipes) with my particular aesthetic and firing interests in mind . Qualities that I find desirable in a clay body are good workability, high-firing temperature, and their potential for beautiful color and variation when fired in atmospheric kilns. 

Spreading out to dry a batch of reclaimed porcelain with added red clay.

This material is beautiful.

Most of my pots begin on the potter's wheel. Here I will take you through the process of making a cup.

Every pot begins with centering.

Beginning to take shape.

Refining the curve.

Opening.

Refining the lip.

Painting on a thick slip, brushed texture.

After throwing several cups like this, I then have to wait a day or so for the clay to dry out to a stage called "leather-hard". At this stage I can safely handle the pots without distorting their shape or ruining their textures, and finish the foot in a process called "trimming", or "turning".

Clay thrown into a cone shape called a "chum"

Chum holding the pot to be turned.

Trimming a foot.

Finally, with the foot trimmed, I can go back in and decorate. I use a combination of tools including an xacto blade, to carve elegant designs into the surface of the cup.

Planning decoration.

Carving leafy patterns.

Finally, the cup gets my signature stamp. A small "h".

Finished!

What happens next? Read a little bit about the wood firing process here.

Huge thank you to Emily Kraus of Elouise Photography for the wonderful photos.