Pottery by Rene Sprattling

Ever since I was a child I have loved working with clay. When I was 16 my parents bought me a kick wheel and let me set it up in our family room. The flywheel was weighted with sand inside. Every time it spun around a little sand would fly out through a crack in the wheel and onto the floor. My parents seemed unconcerned about the mess, even though this was the first room you saw upon entering our rather upscale home. Their generosity of spirit was instrumental in my continued path down this sticky road of ceramic art. Perhaps that is why I am drawn to functional art for the home. I am warmed by the thought of others using one of my mugs or bowls or platters in their intimate everyday lives.

This is how hand made art began, as a function of everyday necessity. In our modern world it is much easier to have mass produced items for our use, but something gets stripped from our souls. I believe when we bring art into our home we are connecting with the artists and with a timeless spirit of creativity, where spirtual beauty resides.

My work is high fired stoneware, leadless, and suitable for table, oven, microwave and dishwasher. Enjoy.

Rene Sprattling