E-mail:

porterpottery@yahoo.com

Web Site:

www.PorterPotteryOnline.com

Artist Statement:

In college I studied History, with minors in Anthropology and Art.  It was in these classes where I was first introduced to the art of pottery from the historic and archaeological records.  However, I was unable to find space in the ceramics courses, so my artistic concentration became metal-smithing.  

After graduation, I found myself in need of a hobby, so I enrolled in a community center pottery program.  I quickly fell in love with the clay, read up, and learned as much as I could about it, took as many workshops as I could, and worked for a potter in exchange for studio space.  As such, I have learned how to work in clay in either a very traditional, or a very non-traditional manner—depending on how you look at it.  I don’t have a degree in clay which has become the traditional route.  Instead, I have put myself through a somewhat makeshift modern equivalent of an apprenticeship.  Any claims to being self-taught, however, would be unfair to the many and varied people and resources from whom I have acquired my knowledge.  

For the past five years I have worked primarily in clay, but I also like to work in wood, metal, and glass.  My ultimate desire will be to begin combining these materials in comprehensive designs.  I also tend to treat my designs in clay much as I would if they were made of wood or metal.  I have been known to cut dovetails in clay or apply metal fasteners in my pieces.  

My strongest influences would have to be based in my interest in history and archaeology.  A viewer will easily notice the traditional forms and decorations of many cultures, ancient and modern, in my work.

Selected Group Exhibitions:

2005 "International Teapot Conference and Exhibition” Yixing, China

2005 "National Teapot Show VI" Creedmore, NC

2005 "Big Fish, Small Pot II" Mission Viejo, CA

2006 "From the Earth"  Lakewood, CO

2006 "Craft Forms 2006" Wayne, PA

2007 "100 Teapots III" Baltimore, MD

2008 "Colorado Clay" Golden, CO

Public Collections:

Yixing Ceramics Museum, Jiangsu Province, China

Corporate Collections:

Goldberg Financial Advisors

Heath and Associates, Architecture

Publications:

2006 Kate Bailey  "Tea Time" article Colorado Homes & Lifestyles (May)

Awards:

2005 Best of Show, Commonwheel Artists 31st annual Arts & Crafts      Festival, Manitou Springs, CO

2005 Best of Show,  Lakewood Arts Festival, Lakewood, CO

2006 Merit Award, "From the Earth" South Union Gallery, Lakewood, CO

2008 Juror’s Award, "Colorado Clay" Golden, CO

Related Activities:

2003-06 Apprentice, Macy Dorf Stoneware, Denver, CO

2005 Jingdezhen Sanbao Ceramic Art Institute Artist Residency Program, Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, China

2005-13 Instructor, Bicentennial Art Center, Aurora, CO

2005-07 Instructor, The Trails Recreation Center, Arapahoe County, CO

Education:

BA, Colorado State University, 1994