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After working in functional stoneware and porcelain for many years, I needed more of a challenge in my work, particularly in glazing. I have always been attracted to color, fire and ancient pottery forms. Currently my work in Raku gives an aliveness of color and form that is extraordinary and involves the most intimate contact with the fire in the ceramic process. |
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I became intrigued with working and creating in clay while taking elective ceramic courses at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. I was introduced to Raku by my Japanese instructor, Masako Miyata. I moved to Illinois and began my career throwing functional pottery. In 1981 my desire to express myself more creatively in my work led me to experiment with Raku again. With more direct exposure to the fire, my one-of-a-kind creations were more challenging and exciting to make. As my work evolved, I developed a unique style using traditional white crackle and the brilliant colors of a copper matte finish with the old ceramic forms. My vessel forms and wall pieces are now known for their artifact type quality. The results of my work is ceramic art created by man, earth and fire... flame lives on in the color, man’s eternity echoes in the earthen form. George |
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Throughout his nineteen years as a Raku ceramist, George has had his pottery displayed in numerous galleries within the United States and won many awards for his work. In the summer of 1990 George’s work was selected for display at the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield, Illinois. In 1994 his Raku angel was selected to hang on the White House Christmas tree, in Washington, DC. A piece of George’s pottery, a large copper and crackle Raku vessel, was added to the collection of Avon Products, Inc. Global Headquarters in New York City. Also, one of his wall pieces was added to the Crete Illinois Public Library’s private collection for their new library. And... three of his copper and crackle wall pieces were selected for Springfield, Illinois’s Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants, Ltd. corporate boardroom. |
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