KILN’in It - Membership Highlight

Bob Avery

At Maine Clay Collaborative, we are proud of the lively and welcoming community that continues to develop within our studio. Every so often, we sit down with one of our community members in the hopes of learning more about their practice, where they draw inspiration from, and how they think about their work. This time around, we were excited to chat with one of our founding members at the studio Bob Avery, who shed some light on his own clay practice as well as what he’s found valuable about his time at Maine Clay Collaborative.

Bob working on a lamp for our March member’s challenge at MCC

How do you stay inspired in your pottery practice? Are there particular sources or people who inspire your work?

My dad is now retired and getting back into pottery, getting to talk about his work and projects keeps me thinking of new directions to go. I’m definitely inspired by folks in the studio and across Portland. I get a lot of inspiration walking First Fridays in the summer, at Running with Scissors, and art shows at MECA. Also Florian Gladsby on YouTube.

What’s one tip or trick you’ve learned along the way that has really helped your pottery skills?

One trick I try to practice every time I come to the studio is slowing down each of the steps. From wedging to trimming, I execute better if I slow down. I try to pause if I see the wheel moving too fast or if I’m making mistakes. I’m not successful every time, but slowing down the wheel and not rushing helps a lot.

What is your favorite tool and why?

My sponge! A super helpful tool for throwing, trimming, and all aspects of the pottery process. I am working on throwing larger weights, and the sponge provides a steady support for the initial pulls.

What’s the piece of pottery you’re most proud of creating, and why?

I'm proud of my fermentation crock. I made it about a year after starting taking classes and initially I didn't like the look of it and wanted to recycle it. Alex encouraged me to keep it and continue to work on it, even just to test glazes. It's now one of my favorite pieces and I love making ferments in it. I’m working on my reuben skills too.

How did you first get started with pottery, and what drew you to this art form?

My dad did pottery through high school and college. Growing up, he would talk about different ceramics we’d see walking flea markets or museums. I also worked for a sculptor in high school, doing mostly landscaping, but once in a while he'd ask me to help him with one of his art projects. From there I really enjoyed seeing the different mediums he worked with and wanted to try it myself. I looked for a studio when I moved to Portland three years ago and have been potting ever since.

Kimchi in the fermentation crock

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