Author Archives: jtwalthier

Archaeologists have long studied ceramics discovered in their digs. Recording information about these findings, however, has traditionally been limited to two-dimensional representations (e.g., sketches & photographs) or data (e.g., text descriptions, numeric information such as dimensions, estimated dates, etc.). New 3D modeling technology is now being used in archaeological research to capture richer visual informationContinue reading “3D Models in Ceramic Research”

Karen Orsillo is a dedicated, long-time ceramic artist who specializes in nerikomi using brightly colored clay. While she has experimented with a wide variety of ceramic techniques through the years, she keeps coming back to nerikomi. It’s a labor-intensive process – especially as Karen practices the craft. She builds very subtle changes in clay toContinue reading “Karen Orsillo – Artist Profile”

The Everson Museum in Syracuse, NY, holds one of the largest collections of ceramics in the United States (over 6,000 pieces). I contacted Garth Johnson, Curator of Ceramics at the Everson Museum, for guidance on how to approach this vast collection. We had a lengthy conversation about the museum, it’s history in advancing appreciation ofContinue reading “Exploring The Everson Museum (Part 1)”

I found two articles by Dastkari Haat Samiti (an Indian non-profit organization) about wonderful art created by self-taught folk artist Sonabai Rajawar. Sonabai transformed her home into a magical, imaginative world to delight and entertain herself and her son from their isolated misery. Sonabai lived in an isolated village in rural India in the latterContinue reading “Sonabai Rajawar: Indian Folk Artist”

Pamma FitzGerald is a very interesting multimedia artist who combines ceramics with collage, charcoal, pastel and other materials to create visually compelling, layered works of art. Pamma has two fine art degrees from the Alberta College of Art and Design (ACAD), one in drawing and the second in ceramics. She fuses those skills with anContinue reading “Pamma FitzGerald – Artist Profile”

I started a series of Sgrafitto birdhouses in the fall as a way to inject levity and fun into the shortening days of winter. It’s been a pleasure to work on them. And it was fun to have these to fire when I quarantined with Coronavirus. My wife came down with COVID-19 through exposure atContinue reading “Sgrafitto Birdhouses”

Thomas Frye set up a pottery factory outside London in 1748. Frye located his factory close to the London stockyards and availed himself of plentiful cattle bones from slaughtered animals. Frye threw the bones into his ovens to reduce the bones into ash, and then included a substantial portion of that bone ash (45%) inContinue reading “Gladstone Pottery and English Bone China”

I came upon Jaroslav’s ceramics via his website. I found his work to be a wonderful exploration of two different themes: the first being very lyrical – almost musical – exploration of shape, form & motion, the second being a focus on the abstract qualities inherent in clay and glaze itself, as material. Shape, FormContinue reading “Jaroslav Hrustalenko – Artist Profile”

Take a few minutes during the cold winter months to enjoy these Swiss ceramic tile stoves. Ceramic factories in Winterthur and Zurich produced elaborate tile stoves for wealthy Swiss patrons from about 1550 through the mid-1700s. The stoves provided radiant heat to keep rooms cozy during long Swiss winters. The enclosed stove chamber also containedContinue reading “Swiss Ceramic Stoves”

I like Russell Biles’ work. A lot. But I admit not everyone shares my enthusiasm. My wife, for example. I say this guy is provocative, she says he picks at scabs. Perhaps it depends on your perspective or approach to art. Everyone should be able to agree that he is a skilled craftsman and extremelyContinue reading “Russell Biles – Artist Profile”

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