My inspiration comes memories and the wonderful illustrative art of the early 1900s. I try to evoke a perfect, simpler time when play was self created and time was slower. My very first memory is the soft yellow light cast by my bedside lamp on the wall next to my bed. That is the feeling I want to recreate.

To create my pieces I begin with white porcelain clay. I use my one piece of machinery, a pugmill, which is like a large electric sausage grinder. I feed the clay into it along with mineral colorants such as cobalt to create blue clay. I run the clay through the pug mill repeatedly to thoroughly blend in the color. I do this many times over to create a large range of different colored clays.

I then use the many clay colors to create my figures. I must use extreme care to keep the colors from smudging on to each other. A black thumb print on a white ear just doesn't look good. I use only hand tools - no molds - so every character is completely unique. I use a rolling pin to roll out clay that drapes like fabric and a garlic press to make clay that looks like hair.

I use a rolling pin to make lamp bases, picture frames, clocks and night lights. They are completely hand built, which accounts for the occasional stray thumb print.

I slowly dry all of the pieces to avoid warping, cracking and all off the other disasters inherent with clay. I then bisque fire the pieces, next decorating the pieces with underglaze paint and pencils. I coat each piece in a clear glaze and fire to 2100 degrees over a period of ten hours. The kiln must be left closed and allowed to cool slowly for another 24 hours. Too quick of a cool down can break pieces and effect the glaze and clay colors. I do all the steps myself and make absolutely every item by hand. I really do.

Robin Russell Ceramics • robin@robinrussell.com • Eugene, Oregon

All Material ©2000, 2001, 2002 Robin Russell