Chubby Creature Figure

One of my favorite things to create with clay; is figurines. I love drawing
chubby creatures and I love making them out of clay. I think part of this is due to my love of action figures as a kid. Holding little characters and having battles with them was one of my favorite hobbies as a young boy. This little ceramic figure is a spin off of some of my sketch ideas. I did just post another green tailed figure for you to see.

This red and black figure was created with air dry clay, and painted with acrylic paints and black markers. I tried a few different designs on him before ending with this pattern. It does have a clear gloss coat to give him a little luster. The guy is about 3-4 inches long, and 2-3 inches tall. The figure was build piece by piece and then slipped and scored into place.

If you enjoy my figure, you should make sure to see my other ceramic projects. If you are interested in purchasing any of my work (including my ceramic guys), make sure to visit my etsy shop.

Green Tail Figure

I have been inclined to draw pictures of chubby creatures ever since I first saw an episode of Pokemon back in middle school. This little ceramic figure is a spin off of some of my sketch ideas.

This green tailed figure was created with air dry clay, and painted with acrylic paints. It does have a clear gloss coat to give him a little luster. The long tailed guy is about 3-4 inches long, and 2-3 inches tall. The figure was build piece by piece and then slipped and scored into place.

If you enjoy my figure, you should make sure to see my other ceramic projects. If you are interested in purchasing any of my work, make sure to visit my etsy shop.

Three Sided Voulkos Vase

Whenever I have access to clay and a kiln I love to make things. Sometimes I will make non-functional things, sometimes I will make kitty banks, and I love making odd statues or figurines. When I was in college (2000-2004) I experimented with very thin slab build cups and vases, although it was always I side project. This year I had a few minutes to make a new vase, this time it comes after being influences by Peter Voulkos, the great ceramic artist. I saw two of his grand sculptures at the Walker Art Center, and his works were true abstract genius. They seemed to be paintings merged with three dimensional forms; I loved them.

Here's the actual 5 foot sculpture I feel in love with:



While I know I cannot replicate the genius that is Voulkos, I did try use a similar raw abstract approach to the design of my little vase. I can tell that I could love the process of creating abstract ceramic works, and have applied this approach to drawing as well. I did only create this one Voulkos study and the result is this blog. The actual vase is sold on my etsy shop like most of my little creations.

The pictures below show all three sides of the vase (each side is very different) and also the top opening, and in my hand. The hand photo is to help represent size, as the actual vase is about 6 inches tall. It has a sturdy bottom and stands very well, although cats will easily knock this down. It was build with thin slabs and fired, then glaze fired. The designs on the sides are lose and abstract.

Make sure to check out my other ceramic works

Non-functional Ceramic Piece inspired by Kathy Butterly

I created this little ceramic piece during a functional/non-functional ceramics class I taught in Jamestown, North Dakota. The idea was to use clay to form objects that serve no functional purpose, and then objects that serve a definite purpose. The small glazed piece I am showing here was one of my samples for non-functional. The inspiration came directly from my job as a gallery monitor at the Walker Art Center for the Dirt on Delight Show.

A number of ceramic artists grabbed my attention during this show (i spent 60+ hours in that room) but Kathy Butterly's works captivated me the most. I will talk about some of my other favorites in future blogs, as the lasting impression that ceramics show had on me continues in my work (next blog will reference Peter Voulkous). Her small petite works were filled with textures, whimsy, colors and detail. I felt like I was staring into Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory and my mind would spin trying to understand how she could create such diverse textures with a ceramic piece (it had to be multiple firings, but wow, the precise details were impeccable). Here is a sample of Butterly's work:



When I wanted to create a work void of function, I aspired to create such small delicate details like Butterly. I knew my glazing skills were 100 times insufficient to accomplish anything in the realm of her work, but I wanted to at least try to get some of the same minute details. In the end, the little piece was a labor of love and garners many, "what is that?" which serves the non-functional purpose well.

Like many of my small ceramic pieces, this ceramic work is being sold on my etsy shop. If you are reading this after it has been sold make sure to browse my shop for other neat items that are for sale. Meanwhile, here are two more pictures of the little ceramic piece:

Interview with Artist Dr. Bill Nybo

Nearly five years ago, I ventured to Jamestown, North Dakota for an artist in residence. It was not long before I crossed path with ceramic artist Bill Nybo. I was impressed by Bill's energetic work ethic, positive attitude and the endless whimsical works of art he was creating. This year, I decided to ask him for an interview and he was nice enough to let me sit down and ask him a few questions about his work.



I pulled up a chair in the ceramic studio while he was sculpting away at what I think was a giraffe. Here's what he had to say:

WH: When did you get started as an artist? Where are you from?

Bill Nybo: I had a job at the UND art department (work study) for $1.25 on hour making glazes. I got to learn how to make glazes. I didn't think I was going to get into it. I took a few aptitude tests and scored really high in art. But, I was interested in helping people. I was doing social work. Yet, I had a bug in me. I decided to take a pottery class with a really great UMD teacher. I really liked it. Once I had time I got back into pottery. I was always doodling. It was an art therapy class that allowed me to become artist. It helped me not compared my work with other people.

I am from Grafton, North Dakota. Northwest of Grandforks.

WH: What mediums do you work in?

Bill Nybo: Pottery. I draw with prismacolors. Every 1 or 2 years I'll pull out the watercolors. And PVC/ fimo clay (samples in photo below).



WH: What is your ultimate goal as an artist?

Bill Nybo: Good question. I'm not so sure about my goal. There is a process I am involved with. For me, it is about the process. The two things that makes an artist:
1. decide you are one
2. work at it diligently



WH: In your ceramic works where do you get your inspiration?

Bill Nybo: My ceramics instructor (at UMD) never made thin things; she made squat stuff. I make squat stuff. Reality is too much work. I just go for whimsy. I like whimsy. I want people to laugh at my work. I like to laugh. I like to bring a smile to people's face.

WH: Your whimsical illustrations are also great, they remind me of Keith Haring and Matisse. What artists have inspired you as an artist?

Bill Nybo: It's hard to credit anyone with inspiration for my work. I can credit my interest in art to Jackson Pollock. Before I was into art a friend asked me to go to an art exhibit, I said "well it's too early to get drunk," and decided to go. It was a show of 3000 drawings by Jackson Pollock. Pollock didn't like to talk much. So he drew these drawing for his psychologist, who would analyze them. He didn't like to talk, he liked to draw. He taught me art is evocative. And to push things into art. Like mood. Mood can effect my work.

WH: Do you have advice for other artists trying to find their way?

Bill Nybo: Talk to people. Be willing to try something different. Don't be afraid of failure. Look at Van Gogh, he was very prolific, and only sold one work his entire life.



WH: Lastly, where does one purchase or find Dr. Bill Nybo artworks?

Bill Nybo: Contact me directly, I'll make something for you. 701-659-1578. Or at the Kirkpatrick Gallery, at the Frontier Village in Jamestown, North Dakota. Open during the summer.

WH: Thanks for the time Bill. Your hard work and energy is very inspiring, and the artwork is really wonderful. Keep up the good work.

Purple Rock Guys

I just listed two purple rock figures for sale (purple one and purple two) on my etsy shop for only 5 dollars each. The handmade figures are glazed and then glued firmly to rocks. After a busy few months I am finally putting up my art for sale, trying to raise money for our move to Maine.

You will see lots of new artworks popping up on my etsy page, for very inexpensive prices. Many of my things sell the first few days I post them. A range of art will be showing up, from ceramics (like the purple rock guys) to drawings and paintings. The goal is to whittle down my stack of art and reduce the amount of things to move.

Kitty Bank

During my last session teaching ceramics at the Jamestown Art Center I found a little time to turn my samples for the kids into actual projects. The first, of two, that I completed is this kitty bank inspired by the local artist Dr. Bill Nybo's imaginative piggy banks. I interviewed Bill Nybo about his work if you want to learn more about the man who inspired this kitty bank. Based on his method, I created a ceramic cat based on our cat, Lily.



The mouth serves as both the way you put in the coins, and also the way you get them out. Since the bank is hollow, the actual piece is not very heavy and quite sturdy. I did also paint glaze on the inside of the mouth a pinkish color, which is hard to see in this photo.

Crispa ceramic wall hangings

my most recent ceramics works. meant to be wall hangings. both are just over a foot in length, the long way. Ceramic and acrylic paint.

I'd love to hear what you think of them.

teaching ceramic class

i teach after school and summer ceramic camps in the twin cities with Youth Enrichment League. i also teach a myriad of ceramic classes at the Jamestown Art Center in North Dakota.

Two Ceramic Crispas

a few days ago i published a few crispa sketches. the sketches were ideas for ceramic works that I plan to make. I have used a little clay and acrylic paint to make two samples (slightly smaller than I would like) to get a three dimensional idea of what the crispa would look like.

They are meant to be wall hangings.

crispa sketches

i wanted to make sure to post a non-web comic blog this week; this is still an art blog. here are three crispa sketches for future ceramic/plaster wall hangings I want to create. the drawings are partially inspired by 'dirt on delight' show at the walker art center, and also derivative of works i created in college.

i have build two mock designs out of air dry clay, which i painted and photographed for you to see. See and read about the real ceramic wall hangings: ceramic wall hanging and two crispas.

New sculpture

This sculpture is a mixed media conglomeration statue, that has evolved out of a series of mistakes and accidents.


The statue was supposed to be a ceramic sample for the 3rd - 6th grade arts after school class I was teaching. Since I did not give this sculpture enough time to dry before I bisque fired it in the kiln, it broken into numerous pieces. Many of which I could not find. I also destroyed one of my pots in the same fashion. I took the handle from my destroyed pot and the remaining pieces of my statue and glued them together with industrial glue; as you can see the pot handle became the nose of my statue.

The fired clay statue was still only a badly glued together 3d puzzle, with cracks and large missing chunks. I rebuild the missing areas with modeling paste, and then spray painted the end result with a camo colored spray paint. However, I forgot that the spray paint holds in moisture and then next day, I picked up the sculpture to find the modeling paste beneath the spray paint hadn't dried and my fingers mushed into the rebuilt areas. This started another modeling paste/spray paint phase but this time I added some small beads into the drying paste and also extended one wing with some construction paper, I also let the modeling paste dry for the recommended time this time around.

The photographed sculpture is the result (click pictures to enlarge). If anyone is interested in purchasing the statue please let me know. I would list it on my Etsy shop, but I am not sure about shipping prices and packaging yet. If you contact me directly, we could work something out I'm sure.