James Nevill, Potter
Part time potter never intending the craft as income, but rather the fortunate ability to have a self supporting hobby. Wheel thrown non-production pottery with individual pieces of mostly utilitarian function with carved geometric designs and evolving over the years into other techniques like slip trailing. High fired stoneware with focus on food safety, oven proof, and microwave useable.
Working with clay is a fulfilling experience with the outcome varying from spectacular to devastating results. Manipulating wet clay on the wheel or working on leather hard clay encounters a meditative concentration and focus to avoid mistakes as well as pushing imagination in technique. Patience is tested due to the extensive process of working the clay into a form of desire followed by trimming, carving, adding handles, drying, bisque firing, glazing, and the final glaze firing. Perils of disaster exist along the entire process based on handling many times, the variations in organic materials, and fluctuations in firing atmosphere. The ability to accept failure and learn from those many issues that can and will occur strengthens ones ability to accept what cannot be controlled. Smile widely when a surprise of a uniquely beautiful piece exceeding expectations comes out of the kiln, and just frown when a disaster occurs.
Credentials:
• Ceramic Art Classes during undergraduate degree in the 1970’s
• Member Raleigh NC Potter’s Guild at NCSU in the 1980’s
• Adjunct Pottery Instructor in Art Studio at New York University, Osewgo 2001-2002
• Participated in multiple sidewalk art shows from the coast to the mountains of North Carolina
• Designed and built a gas fired kiln - catenary arch of fire brick at 10 cubic feet with blowers made from cast iron piping that fires to cone 10 (2,381 Degrees).
