Jan Cartron - A Sketch
Much of my current work is twisted thrown and altered stoneware fired to cone 6 in oxidation. These twisted forms are carefully thrown, then shaped by pulling to the extreme left or right while still on the potter's wheel. After shaping I remove most finger rings to simplify the form. I want the eye to follow the movement from foot to rim.
Symmetrical or classical forms often provide the opportunity to experiment with surface decoration - carving or "painting" the surface or building up in relief fashion. Flowers, leaves, ropes and fringe sometimes emphasize or form handles or spouts.
After graduating from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts in English, I went back to ceramics for my graduate study and earned a Master of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics at Columbia Visual Arts College in 1984.
Having lived for extended periods of time in Taiwan, Ethiopia and Italy and many sections of the United States, I believe that the influence of each of those cultures can be found in my work.
If you're in the Baltimore Washington Metropolitan area, my work is available at the following stores:
League of Maryland Craftsmen
54 Maryland Avenue
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Phone 410-626-1722
League of Maryland Craftsmen
Savage Mill
Savage, Maryland 20763
Phone 301-617-4918
For other interesting sites, click on any of the following links:
Intersect - The International Society for Electronic Craft Transformation