MarkChuck

Next Shop Update. TBD
Thank you for visiting my shop! I am currently sold out but am diligently working on new work and will have my shop updated in the near future. Visit my Instagram account to follow my progress and to find out more. Thank you so much! @markchuckceramics

As a ceramic artist and lifelong fisherman, my creative process begins
long before I enter the studio. It begins on the banks of the river.

Rooted in a childhood love and utter fascination with aquatic life, my
work is informed by a lifetime of observation, appreciation, and
sometimes awe, of the magnificent creatures that live in the water,
and briefly, at the end of my line. Each piece is an ode to their
natural beauty in clay.

Made from porcelain, I sculpt and glaze vessels, cups, plates, and mugs
by hand. To create a harmonious surface, I examine, select, and blend
glazes. With forms, textures, and colors reminiscent of the fish that
so inspire me, I am meticulous about every detail of the surface
image.

Much like the artistic process, the gift in fishing is the element of
surprise. The true reward is communing with nature and relishing the
moments when a fish is pulled from the water. It’s akin to the joy of
removing a freshly-fired piece from the kiln. For one fleeting moment,
I hold my breath awash in the excitement of what’s about to be
revealed, each piece a wonder.

For me, where fishing ends, clay begins.

My work is ORIGINAL and is only made by me. Each piece takes a countless amount of hours from start to finish and it all happens in my Northeastern Pennsylvania Studio.

Each piece is made individually from a fine cone 6 Grolleg Porcelain made by Laguna called Frost. And some of the glazes are accurately weighed and mixed by me. My pieces take countless hours to create. Each piece is a reflection of my passions, my soul, and my spirit.

Instructions for Care:
Handcrafted porcelain is both beautiful and delicate. To preserve your cups luster, and increase its longevity, I recommend the following care:
* Handwashing with mild detergent is recommended.
* Limit microwave exposure. Your piece is microwave safe, but limiting its exposure to microwave heat will help to preserve it for many years to come. Pieces with gold luster and Mother of Pearl cannot be put in the microwave. These two finishes are metals.
* Prior to using, warm your cup by running hot tap water over it before pouring boiling water into it. Hot the pot. We know true tea and coffee aficionados require boiling water for a perfect brew, but handcrafted porcelain is not designed to withstand the shock of going from room temperature to temperatures above 212 degrees (the temperature at which water boils). The simple step of warming the cup first and allowing the bubbles to disappear before pouring will help prevent cracks in your one-of-a-kind piece.
Enjoy!

*No trout were harmed in creating my art, trout are our friends*
The colors and shapes reflect those of the fish I catch and release.


Chinese /Japanese Tea Ceremony History :
A teacup without a handle is a good device to test the
temperature of the tea.
If it is too hot for me to hold the cup, that means the
tea is too hot for my lips. If I can hold the cup and
feel warm and comfortable, that means the tea is ready for
me to drink. Drinking tea this way was meant to warm the hands as well as the soul.

Find more at www.markchuck.com