About
American artist, Dews, received a BFA in Ceramic Sculpture from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1984.
For Dews, ceramics classes started at the age of 5 and continued through high school. College studies took a circuitous route. Starting with architecture, letterpress printing, art media from drawing to welding, and a semester making limestone sculpture in Provence, France, finishing up in San Francisco, CA.
Dews produces ceramic sculptures inspired by dreams, photographs and life events. Subjects are animals, plant life, architecture and furniture. Recently, landscapes and humans have been added. Sculptures come in a range of sizes. Over the years, ideas have overlapped and cross-pollinated creating variations and an ongoing narrative.
A small range of functional tableware also features on the fringes of the Dews lineup. These wares delight with their organic animal forms, be it whale candlesticks, or hippo butter dishes.
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A fifth generation Oregonian, Dews has been sculpting and teaching sculpture in the Rogue Valley since 1995.
Clay More than a material
Thoughts on clay
Clay is an amazing medium! This humble material has been used for thousands of years with diverse applications: communication tablets, building materials, medical supplements, everyday pottery items, ammunition, spiritual/ritualistic practices and sculpture!
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Clay's malleability changes as it dries. At the sticky/soft stage it can be very gestural, thrown on the wheel, and easily attaches to itself. As it hardens it becomes carvable, it also strengthens and can be paddled into shapes. As it becomes "bone dry" it can be burnished to a hard shiny surface or finely sanded.
Then comes the glazing, an art in itself. Once fired it can last forever.
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Clay as Community
Traditionally clay production grew up around clay deposits and fuel for firing. There are numerous towns centered around ceramic production. Ceramics demands knowledge in chemistry, firing techniques, clay techniques, let alone one's personal vision. When potters gather there is a great exchange of information and "talking shop". I have participated in group studios, member owned galleries and potters associations - those relationships have only grown and widened.
Anagama firing is a perfect example of community. The firing takes place over a couple of weeks. Potters glaze and wad pieces, then load the kiln, fire the kiln over a number of days using many cords of wood and reaching temps of 2,400 degrees, Then, many more hours waiting for the kiln to cool before the unloading and cleaning of the kiln.
Meanwhile the participants live together, eat together and share tools, demonstrations, and information.
Sharing Skills and Knowledge
Descending from several generations of teachers, it seemed only natural that at some point I would teach ceramics. I am fortunate to have had Art/Ceramic instructors that encouraged me to "keep making art". Sharing my knowledge with others is enjoyable and a way to give back.
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In 1995 I started teaching in the Rogue Valley at Thrown Stone Studio which has now become Ashland Art Works. Most recently I have been teaching at Bloom Pottery, now Rogue Valley Pottery Supply & Studio. I also teach small classes at my private studio, Badger Road Studio, here in Ashland. Classes and Workshops are in Wheel Throwing, Hand Building, and Sculpture.