Raku Pottery Artist Steven Forbes-deSoule
My ceramics career started in 1975, when I resigned from my corporate job and decided to return to college at Georgia State University in Atlanta. I just happened to take a pottery class and the rest is history. I received my Master of Visual Arts and Ceramics in 1980, built a studio in my home in Atlanta and started making pots and sculpture.
In 1992, my wife, Lynn and I built our home and my studio pottery outside of Weaverville in the mountains of western North Carolina. The entire ground floor of our home is my studio. In the corporate world everyone aspires to have a corner office with a view. I must say that my corner office view is fantastic and inspirational! I am truly blessed to awaken every morning surrounded by Natures’ beauty and excited about going to work!
The one constant with my raku pottery work throughout the years has been transformation. As a raku artist, I find it fun and challenging to try new things, and I especially enjoy developing new glaze recipes. I started firing using the raku process in 1981 and found the element of serendipity and surprise to be invigorating. Consequently, all of my firings since then have been raku. I estimate that I've done at least 7000 raku firings since 1981. Recently, I was selected to be part of “100 Southern Artists,” published by Schiffer Publishing Co. My work is part of private, corporate and museum collections in the US., Europe, Japan, Mexico, Canada and Australia.
I am also a co-owner/member of Ariel Gallery located in downtown Asheville, NC. Ariel is a cooperative gallery that was founded in 2001 and has been at its current location at 19 Biltmore Avenue (see map) since 2009. We currently have 12 members working in a variety of mediums. All of us are long-time professional artists working full time at our craft.
Raku Pottery Studio in Weaverville, NC
My studio is open twice a year as part of the Weaverville Art Safari. “The Weaverville Art Safari is one of the original studio tours in the Asheville Area. It is a self guided free event that offers a unique look at the artist’s work in their working environment, featuring artists who specialize in handmade pottery, glass, photography, sculpture, jewelry, furniture, painting, drawing, fiber art, wood art and more.”
Also, for a unique tour of my studio you can plan a visit with Art Connections Tours. These special tours are designed to connect art lovers and collectors with the makers in the most authentic way: one on one, in the places where they do their work in scenic Western North Carolina. They are a perfect experience for any art lover. Contact Sherry Masters who would gladly add you to an upcoming tour.
My ceramics have been featured in various publications and have been represented by galleries and museums nationwide. I continue to derive great pleasure in developing new glazes and consequently new looks and sizes for my raku pottery. I am constantly adding new pieces as I explore these new glazes and techniques. To stay up to date with all of my latest raku pottery and events, please see my press & news section, sign up for my newsletter to be the first to know about a discounted “Pot of the Month” and follow me on Facebook & Twitter. Thank you and enjoy!
My raku vessels were created with colors in mind. Using my own glazes and underglazed I can fire a raku pottery piece over and over again to achieve the colors I am looking for. These pieces beautifully reflect the intricate details of my firing process.
I have fired these raku ikebana pieces using special glazes that coordinate well with the natural vibrancy of various flowers. These special raku pottery pieces embody this wonderful art form and are sure to give an extra bit of life to any floral arrangement.
These intricate raku wall pieces highlight the beauty and textures created when experimenting with my different raku pottery glazes.. Their earthly and natural formations, designs and vibrant colors will turn your wall into a source of inspiration.
With a unique mix of subtle designs and beautiful colors I am able to add my personal approach to home decor with my raku sculpture pieces. To find the colors you are looking for with raku pottery please contact me regarding commissioned pieces.