“California Ceramics 2003”

Third Annual Ceramics Show and Sale  

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Adrian John Castelo

Madera artist Adrian Castelo is constantly experimenting with new ideas, glazes, and forms.  His most striking works include hand-constructed vases and teapots with delicate leaf-like elements, wrapped like layers of an onion around a solid body.  These organic constructions veil the classic form of the vessel with sculptural details that give each piece a unique character and a life of its own.

Ken Foster

Oakhurst artist Ken Foster creates hand painted functional ware a variety of forms and styles. Ken has been a professional potter since the 1970s, and owns and operates Oakhurst Pottery, a community pottery studio in the California foothills just south of Yosemite National Park.  Ken's ceramics are inspired by his desire to create works of art that are both beautiful and functional.  His pieces combine bold color and intuitive graphic style with floral designs inspired by nature.  

Bill Gossett

Bill Gosset spends an average of ten to fifteen hours a week at the wheel, and considers himself a “mud” addict. Art and pottery have always been a part of his life.  His mother has been a professional potter for nearly twenty years. Inspired by her work, Bill turned his attention to creating pottery in the late 1990s. Bill teaches ceramics at Yosemite High School in Merced, and at Merced College.  His newest work consists of a series of porcelain vases created using a yellow crystal matt glaze applied by spray gun over a black matt glaze, created a lovely pale yellow drip finish.

Kris Kessey

Fresno artist Kris Kessey creates unique stoneware vessels in a variety of forms inspired by the natural world.  Kessey teaches ceramics at Cal State Fresno. Her work is widely shown in the USA, and is in public and private collections throughout the United States, Australia, and Norway.  Whether working in sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, or photography, Ms. Kessey's work stems from an acute sensitivity to nature and natural things.  For this year's show Kris will be featuring a series of slump glass pieces created at Fresno States new Art Glass workshop.

Amy Morgan

Amy Morgan earned her MFA degree in 1995 at San Diego State University, and currently teaches ceramics at Fresno City College.   Amy's work ranges from painted and carved pottery to whimsical jars and sculpture. She responds to her surroundings of orchards and animals to find her imagery and often peeks in travel books at more exotic plants and insects for ideas.  Amy is a member of the San Joaquin Clay Association, and has exhibited regionally and nationally for the past fifteen years. Amy's contribution to this years show includes several new designs including ceramics rain sticks, "Bug Balls",  and "Dream Platters".

Mildred Rose

Mildred Rose discovered her passion for ceramics in the early 1970s.  Her interest in Native American art led her to using Chumash designs to decorate many of her hand thrown pots.  Mildred creates her own glazes, rather than purchasing pre-mixed commercial brands.  When she found that she did not have the strength to create large pieces on the wheel, Mildred deciding to experiment, and to see how small she could make a pot while still throwing it on the wheel.  After years of practice she has succeeded in making an astounding variety of miniature vessels, some as small as half an inch in diameter. 

Rita Watkins

Rita Watkins creates hand painted  utilitarian pottery, art tiles, and decorative constructions.  Rita sells her works as a cohesive line know as Pastimes Pottery. Her subjects include images of women throughout the ages, engaged in their favorite pastimes.  Her constructed works include tables, clocks, frames, and mirrors.  Rita is secretary of the San Joaquin Clay Association.

Tiwi Wood

Born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, artist Tiwi Wood now makes her home in Fresno California. Tiwi holds a Masters Degree in linguistics from Fresno State, where her love for ceramics was ignited while studying under California ceramic artist Jim Shepard.  Tiwi creates salt-fired stoneware sculptural and utilitarian works, often with applied and incised animal and floral elements.  The pieces she creates reference traditional forms, but are constructed with an organic freedom that adds a wonderful asymmetry to her work.