John Kellum

First and foremost, I am a potter. I love sitting at my potter’s wheel and creating. There is a certain peace that is inherent in throwing on the wheel that has captivated me.
Each piece starts as a wheel-thrown form. After the pot has hardened to a leather-hard state, I add slab-built pieces, hand alter, carve, pierce and add to the piece. I rely on my numerous years of graphic design experience to create a fluid movement and flow to the piece. I attempt to put the joy and passion I have for clay into each piece. And like me, the pots are whimsical and often off-center.
To finish the pieces, I use the Raku firing process with a copper mat glaze as a dominate base. I am drawn to this firing technique because of its earthy feel, its immediacy and serendipitous nature.