Hard Work-Good PotsFocus by Ron Philbeck August 16, 2022

Hard Work-Good Pots
Focus by Ron Philbeck

Statement
I make pots for daily use as well as pots that may serve a more decorative or ritualistic role in the home. I throw with soft clay and try to impart some good energy into the work. I have many influences but most are from the Leach/Hamada lineage of potters. After more than 20 years of making pots I never tire of coming to the wheel and moving the clay. It takes persistence, love, and hard work to make good pots. At the same time a really wonderful pot can emerge from the wheel when my mind wanders and I am gazing out the studio window. I’m happy to do this work and to share it with others.

All the pots are made with stoneware clay and are fired in my soda kiln. The sodium vapor reacts with the clay and slips to form a beautiful sheen on the pots. I decorate using wax resist and dark slip. The animals on the pots are quirky and fun. I like them to have a bit of an attitude and personality. The imagery is another way for the user to interact with the pot and hopefully form a relationship with it that will last for years to come.

Biography
Ron Philbeck is a potter specializing in wheel thrown, sodium vapor glazed pottery. The limited production and one of a kind pots are created at his studio in Shelby, N.C. Ron believes that pots should be well made, pleasant to look at, and easy to use. His work can be found in collections and kitchens around the world.