Steven Branfman, Founder and Director
Meet The Potter:
Years in clay: A lot! I started in college in 1971. You count the years!
Why clay?: Tactile and organic nature of the material.
Where did I learn: Cortland State University with my first mentor John Jessiman with whom I am dear friends. Rhode Island School Of Design with Norm Schulman and Jun Kaneko.
Favorite part of clay: Throwing and trimming.
Least favorite: Glazing.
When I'm not in the studio: Are you kidding? Teaching, writing, travel, workshops, cycling, family,,,,,,,,,
What has clay taught me: Humility.
Goal as a potter for yourself and for your work: For me; to live a life of hands on creativity. For my work; constant growth, development, sophistication. To understand and express beauty and to speak through the language of clay.
Favorite styles or techniques: Ummm.....Raku!
Favorite potters and why:
- Warren Mackenzie-humble, natural, unassuming.
- Robin Hopper-a man of the earth devoted to humanity and kindness.
- Val Cushing-passion, humanity, spirit.
- Ah Leon-precise, realistic, abstract.
- Peter Voulkos-strength, power, surface.
- Don Reitz-personality, volume.
- Lucie Rie-grace, elegance, comfort.
- Margurite Wildenhain-control, imagry.
- Favorite clay quote:
- It is both the exercise of making clay things-handling and firing them, as well as the intimacy of touching, living with, and using them which drive me to make more. Jared Branfman