Handcrafted pottery and porcelain
We, TYRONE and JULIE LARSON, have been a pottery team since 1966. We both contribute to all aspects of the finished art work. Most recently, Tyrone has been doing the majority of the wheel work, while I, Julie, spend my studio time glazing, painting, and designing new pieces.
The life of our clay work has evolved over the years with several dramatic changes occurring at spontaneous intervals. We are often as surprised as our longtime patrons, but we respect that intuitive spark and go where the process dictates.
Our most recent work refers back to my Italian heritage. I spent five months studying art and sculpture at the University of Siena, Italy during my college years. This was a time of dramatic inspiration for me, and Ty contends that, "all my Italian genes took control of my creative psyche when I painted my first tomato!"
I have personalized a very old European technique of painting directly on the raw base glaze with a heavy application of the same glaze containing a variety of colorants. The technique is similar to slip-trailing, however, I am trailing glaze. The layers of glaze fuse during a single high firing. Because of the thickness of the multiple layers, the glazed pieces often have a raised effect. We are using a porcelain body to achieve a very refined surface and form, and to enhance the brilliance of the colors and glazes.
Fine craftsmanship and function have always been important concerns in all our pottery work. Our creative philosophy is very simple: Love what you do and bring joy to others through your life work. Have fun, be happy, and it will all be expressed in the work.