Drawing inspiration from the quiet mountain vistas to creeks flowing through the Spruceton Valley this collaboration between artists and neighbors Sarah Mitchell and Steven Weinberg tries to inhabit the spirit of the Catskills.

In 2023 h my friend and neighbor Steven Weinberg and I collaborated on a limited collection of platters and Bowls.

It started with making several rounds of test tiles to narrow down the clay body and glaze colors before diving into the ceramic shapes. Once the pieces were bisque fired HTTP://WWW.STEVENWEINBERGSTUDIO.COM/ took over painting the beautiful artwork over the surfaces before the final kiln firing.

Here are a few of the final collaboration pieces.

Interview with Coclico

Last December I got a chance to sit down with Coclico to talk shop, inspiration, and holiday rituals.

Follow the link to read the interview.

The Petal

The petal vessels evolved out of an experimental sculpture project with an oceanic theme in mind, specifically corals shapes. Looking to draw attention to the astounding beauty of universal reefs and the urgent need for preservation.

It was a project of learning and discovery, exploring a combination of wheel and handbuilding to initiate a new creative direction.

Making the petal vessel is a lengthy process. Each vase requires a unique assembly, starting with a wheel-thrown vessel​, laying out the pattern​ and attaching each petal by hand. The finished vessel goes through a careful ​6 week ​slow-drying phase until they are ready to be fired. Once fired they often go through additional firings to achieve the desired surface texture.

Studio Space

Now that the snow has finally melted and spring is in full gear things are progressing nicely in the studio. Shelves, wheel and tools all set up now.

Arc Ceramic studio

Arc ceramic studios have come together nicely. It took a several months to build and insulate but it was well worth the wait, blisters, sweat and heavy lifting.  One studio for making all the work and the other for firing it. The deck will offer outdoor hand building project space during the summer months.

Kiln shed is happening!

We are pretty excited to finally realize our kiln shed dreams. It's here and all coming together!

Trenching 250ft to get electric set up for the sheds was the probably the most challenging part. But it's done and ready to be set up.

linear sculptures in the works

I've been exploring linear sculpture pieces. Here it is in raw (unfired) clay form. The challenge is working with leather hard clay, joining the pieces together without breaking the whole thing. It's a bit like carefully stacking a house of cards crossing my fingers it doesn't collapse.

It survived!! The sculpture made it all the way through bisque and glaze firing.

Indigo Gouache on paper

One of my other passions when not covered in clay. Experimenting with indigo Gouache on paper inspiring new glaze designs

new pieces pre glaze

Bisque fired dark brown clay pre glaze stage. Love seeing the pieces when they come out of the kiln, they are like small blank canvases ready for painting.