Author Archives: jtwalthier

After the reconquest of Toledo, Spain in 1085 CE, there were many Muslim people still living in the region under Christian rule. These people were called Mudéjar. Mudéjar artisans were employed to build and decorate new Christian churches erected in southern Spain, and they utilized their tradition of elaborate pattern-making and ceramic tilework in theContinue reading “Mudéjar Ceramic Tiles”

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I’ve always been an admirer of ancient mosaics found throughout much of the ancient Roman and Byzantine world. Although mainly constructed out of small pieces of stone, at times ceramic pieces and glass pieces were included in the mosaic construction. I stumbled onto a video showing the conservation of mosaics at the Roman site ofContinue reading “Clay Used in Archaeological Conservation (Volubilis, Morocco)”

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I recently passed through LaGuardia airport in New York and couldn’t help but notice the huge installation of ceramic tiles in Terminal B. The tiles cover over 25,000 sq. ft. of wall space. What a wonderful greeting for ceramic lovers the world over! The work is a tile mosaic designed by painter Laura Owens, featuringContinue reading “Ceramic Tiles at LaGuardia Airport”

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Margaret Bohls is an innovative ceramics educator and artist. Her work reflects her deep interest in form as it has been interpreted through history. Margaret teaches in the Ceramics Department at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, NB. I spoke with her about her academic activities as well as her personal work. I was particularlyContinue reading “Margaret Bohls – Artist Profile”

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I started my artistic career as a painter, where a long-standing tradition is to copy the work of master artists as a way to develop skill as a painter. That tradition is not as firmly established the contemporary ceramics world, which is strange because potters are generally very open to sharing their techniques and processes.Continue reading “Replication as a Learning Tool”

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I’m attracted to the stark, almost Spartan, forms of Stuart Gair’s pottery. He simplifies forms, driving that simplification further and further towards abstraction. He leaves surface decoration to the vagaries of soda firing (although he tells me he carefully places each pot in the kiln to achieve certain surface effects). The results are meditative, almostContinue reading “Stuart Gair – Artist Profile”

This morning I listened to Ben Carter’s podcast “Tribute to Michael Simon” (episode 389). The original recording was in 2014, and Ben recast it this week because Michel recently passed away. I was very, very impressed with the podcast interview. I highly recommend it. Seriously, take an hour walk and listen to this as youContinue reading “Ben Carter’s Tribute to Michael Simon”

George Rodriguez is a Seattle-based ceramic sculptor who creates large-scale pieces and environments that reflect his personal journey and also reference his Mexican-American heritage. George grew up in El Paso, TX, and spent time in his youth in both El Paso and Ciudad Juarez across the border in Mexico, visiting family. I love the senseContinue reading “George Rodriguez – Artist Profile”

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There is a small museum just getting started in Denver, CO called “Museo de las Americas.” The Museo was founded in 1991. It celebrates Latino art and culture. Part of the Museo’s collection are a few pre-Hispanic ceramic pieces from what is now Mexico. Although not a large collection, and perhaps because it’s not aContinue reading “Museo de las Americas”

Enduring Images is a Colorado-based company that produces ceramic decal printing systems as well as well as offering their own printing equipment to print custom decals for customers. I spoke with this company about their products and services. They walked me through their product line and how potters can use this technology for artistic purposes.Continue reading “Ceramic Decals – Enduring Images”

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