The Joy of Making Beautiful Things
My first pottery lessons were at the Bloomfield Art Association, Bloomfield, Michigan, in 1973, studying under Harris Deller. I had carefully planned this clay adventure while I was in Germany as a soldier. I had ventured out to see pottery in the German countryside villages. It was wonderful; their pottery was an unassuming offering of what beautiful functional pottery can be. So warm. So inviting. So beautifully designed and crafted.
WHY CLAY?
I was drawn to the clay arts because of their three dimensional nature and sculptural promise - the ability to go from functional to sculptural within the same medium. I have always danced between graphics and three dimensional disciplines. Yet, in ceramics, there is this ultimate sacrifice - everything you make must be brought to this curious submission of fire...fire and it's capricious nature. The changes and wonderful natural effects that occur with my glazes is a wonderful gift - never knowing what exactly I may receive.
After years of bouncing about setting up pottery shops in various cities, I established a pottery operation in a small suburb of Detroit 10 years ago. Since then, I have focused on unique forms and glazes.
I pray that you may follow my story...
Dan Saultman
