Sun City ceramics artists show off their work

From prehistoric pottery to ancient Greek amphoras, clay art has always been important to the world, and Sun City is no exception. Residents John Garland and Mary Paul are ceramic artists who create individual and collaborative low-fire, functional, earthenware pottery.

Their pieces are feature bright colors and intricate embellishments inspired by nature.

Garland has been in the business for a while.

“I have been creating for over 40 years,” he said. “I started by taking classes in North Carolina. My first piece was a thumb. It was not very impressive. I learned the most and was most influenced by a renowned ceramic artist, Conrad Weiser.”

Weiser is known in North Carolina Pottery community as an arts administrator, artist, and teacher. And in North Carolina, Garland found his own style, heeding the advice from Weiser to pay attention to the details. 

Garland attended classes at Montgomery Tech, Penland School, and the North Carolina State Craft Center as well as apprenticing with several state potters.

On the other hand, Paul, originally from Wisconsin, studied pottery in Milwaukee at Alverno College where she focused on creating art pieces in stoneware.

“I met John in a workshop at Arrowmont Craft School in Tennessee,” she said.

Together they worked in a large studio, making intricate pieces and teaching classes in pottery, figurine work, and drawing.

Paul said, “We exhibited and sold work in galleries, shops, and North Carolina’s Natural History Museum. John has his pieces in the collections of Epic Software and displayed in Mayo Clinic.”

Their work has been published in Lark Books’ 500 Plates & Chargers: Innovative Expressions of Function & Style. The photos highlight plates and chargers that can serve as more than just places to put your food. They can be magnificent art piece on a table or displayed in a cabinet. The pieces chosen for this book were by an esteemed juror, Linda Arbuckle, and Garland and Paul’s pieces were featured.

What is their favorite piece?

Garland said, “This tall vase. Mary worked with the clay and formed the piece. She worked on it until the surface was as smooth as glass. I use this little bottle filled with black glaze to begin my design. Because the surface is so smooth, it’s like writing with a fine pen on good-quality paper. I outline the whole image in black and then use brushes to fill in the layers of colors.”

How long does it take to create a piece?

Garland said, “A platter can take about 30 hours. 

I don’t sketch or plan it. I create it as the form inspires me. I can spend a whole day in one piece. It’s a work of love. It’s my passion.”

Paul said, “Since we don’t have the large studio anymore, I have stepped back. I love doing the work, but John needs to do this.”

Garland has 40,000 images of platters, teapots, vases, and lots of pots. There is an interesting series named ‘pothead.’ Vases with toppers similar to wine corks that have an interesting, whimsical ceramic face on pieces that can serve as vases.” 

What’s their most popular item?

Garland said, “Urns are the most popular purchased and requested items. I have found individuals have a relationship with the urn meant to hold their own ashes or a loved one. I started making one for my best friend 20 years ago. I had to get it perfect and I found that this final choice of art is very important to individuals.”

Garland’s and Paul’s work have won pieces have won first place and “Best of Show” awards. Garland received the Dino Read Foundation Award at the 42nd Annual Fine Designer Crafts Show in Raleigh.

You can find Garland’s work in Woodstock at Artisans on Main, on Etsy at www.freechildstudio.etsy.com or you can send an email at jhngarland9@gmail.com.

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