Where did you grow up?
I was born and grew up in Parma, Ohio. I graduated from Valley Forge High School, which had at the time the best art program in the area. One of my art teachers, Dan Mihuta, went on to work in TV, in shows called The Art Chest, The Art Maker, and Return of the Art Maker.
Where did you go to college?
I went to Findlay College, BGSU, and the U. of Dayton. I try to attend at least one clay conference per year.
Did you always plan to be an artist and to teach art?
No, I originally went to college to earn a degree in business. I took a couple of courses in art and eventually changed my major to art.
Do you remember what you "wanted to be" when you were a child?
As a child I aspired to be an automotive designer.
How did you decide to focus on pottery?
It has been an evolutionary process. When I taught at Ada, I became acquainted with Bruce Chesser at ONU. I began to learn more about potting from him and developed the ceramics program at Ada. I realized, too, that marketing pottery is easier and less time consuming that doing flat work. Of course, all my background in drawing and design certainly comes across and enhances my clay work.
How long did you teach at Ada?
I taught art for 26 years.
Was it difficult for you to leave teaching and become a principal?
The change was one of necessity. My son was attending ONU in pharmacy, and we wanted him to graduate without any student loans. I was fortunate that at Ada I was well respected and knew all the teachers. In that regard it was a fairly smooth transition.
Are you still teaching as an adjunct at any area universities?
No, time doesn't permit and it really doesn't pay enough to warrant the time and travel.
You have a studio at your rural Mount Cory home -- Fallen Willow Pottery, correct?
Yes, we've been up and in operation since 2003.
How do buyers find you?
We advertise our open houses in newspapers. We distribute business cards and have a website (currently down for updating). Word of mouth is also important. We use our craft fair participation to get out our products as well.
Do you spend a certain amount of every day creating pottery? Where do you find your inspiration?
I work in the studio for at least six hours every day during spring, summer, and fall. Finding inspiration has never been an issue. I always have more ideas for projects than I can get to during the day. I keep a drawing book filled with ideas.
How would you describe your pottery?
My pottery is high-fire stoneware or porcelain that is functional and/or decorative. I try to make each piece distinctly different from any other. I do not do production pottery--that would be too boring for me.
Is there something in particular that your customers look for?
My returning customers all have different things they like. Some like functional ware with interesting glazes. Others like finding unique pieces to use as gifts for weddings and other occasions.
I hear you have a one-man show coming up. Can you offer some details?
The exhibit, "Altered States in Clay," which will be held at the Findlay Art League Gallery, opens at 7 p.m. Friday, September 30, and closes October 18. The gallery is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It will consist of many newly-rendered works that are more decorative than functional. Some functional pieces will be displayed. Everything except items from his private collection will be for sale. (The Findlay Art League Gallery is located at 117 W. Crawford St., Findlay, OH.)
Is there anything you've not created (in ceramics/pottery) that you'd like to try?
I would like to work on a method of constructing sculptural ceramics using a disappearing armature, an idea originating with my former student, Gary Wells, who now teaches high school art at Ada, having taken over my position when I left to go to the front office.
Any other type of art?
I am still enthralled with the creative process in clay!
We saw you recently at the annual fine art show at Levis Commons in Perrysburg. How many shows like that do you do annually?
I try to do six or seven juried craft fairs per summer. This year has been wonderful in terms of sales but difficult in terms of keeping up my inventory.
How far do you travel?
We try to stay in Ohio and Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Do people commission specific items from you?
I don't usually do commissions because I am inspired by my ideas, not those of someone who doesn't understand the process or how the medium has trended. It is difficult to create something from someone else's idea. I don't even do things for my wife very often!
You also do some judging of art shows, correct?
I jury about five or six shows per year. They are high school or elementary shows, since my expertise is in that area.
You recently judged the Findlay Art League's Custom Bike Show, didn't you?
I didn't judge the show, I just curated it. The bike show was a goal of mine since I became president of the Findlay Art League. It took three years for it to finally come to fruition. I wanted custom-designed and built motorcycles.
After making many contacts, I finally located seven owners whose bikes were worthy of the show. The idea originated from the Museum of Modern Art in NY. One of their most popular and best attended exhibits was that of custom-built motorcycles.
This was a new experience for me, but I do own two off-the-shelf Harleys.
Didn't you start raising horses a few years ago?
We have owned and raised horses for 39 years. That is how we ended up living out in the country. We owned an AQHA World Champion for six years. We still have four horses, all of which are pleasure-riding show horses. Race horses are a whole other breed!
So...aside from art, how do you spend your time? Do you travel?
Pottery and horses are two labor-intensive ventures, neither of which brings in enough revenue to pay expenses. But I love them both! We travel whenever possible, usually out west. We've rafted 200 miles in the Grand Canyon, ridden horse back in Yellowstone, and hiked in Yosemite. We've done whale-watching and hiking in the Seattle-Puget Sound area.
