American Bonsai Potters

I also just went through the site and also think it is well done and therefore bookmarked.

I think you should add @ABCarve here, out of PA. His work in the last few years is well noting.

Grimmy
 
GrimLore said:
I also just went through the site and also think it is well done and therefore bookmarked.

I think you should add @ABCarve here, out of PA. His work in the last few years is well noting.

Grimmy
Click to expand...

Thanks, Grimmy! Noted about @ABCarve - not sure how I missed him, but I'll give him a shout. Always looking to expand my list!
 
thams said:
Always looking to expand my list!
Click to expand...

You can check some of his work here, I think the first two were in the Cascade category http://www.bonsai-nbf.org/wp-content/documents/potcompetition/PotCompetitonCatalog.pdf

His FB is https://www.facebook.com/profile.ph...908739514:100000993137630:1489184600&sk=about

I have his personal info like phone etc... but need to get his permission to share it.

Here is a post of the ancient technique he used a few years back, that first pot is in storage here and I am very pleased to own it https://bonsainut.com/threads/ashes-to-ashes-pots-to-pots.12922/

Grimmy
 
double post and no delete - odd
 
GrimLore said:
You can check some of his work here, I think the first two were in the Cascade category http://www.bonsai-nbf.org/wp-content/documents/potcompetition/PotCompetitonCatalog.pdf

His FB is https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000993137630&lst=100001908739514:100000993137630:1489184600&sk=about

I have his personal info like phone etc... but need to get his permission to share it.

Here is a post of the ancient technique he used a few years back, that first pot is in storage here and I am very pleased to own it https://bonsainut.com/threads/ashes-to-ashes-pots-to-pots.12922/

Grimmy
Click to expand...

Ohhhhhhhhh, I didn't connect the forum name with the real name. I friended him on Facebook and sent him a message, but he hasn't responded. I don't think he's seen the message yet, but I was hoping to get his permission to use his photos for the site.

And YES, his work is amazing. I especially like his pots carved in the likeness of roots. Really amazing work - I don't see it come up for sale often. I suspect that once in someone's collection, his pots stay put.
 
@thams - wow, nice work on your website.

I'll try to get good photos, just brought in a few pots from the back yard, they need to thaw, and get cleaned up a bit.

Two potters not on your list are
Karen Schuman of Glenview, IL - her pots are very well made. She is a near retirement age ceramic arts instructor at Oakton Community College. She fires her pots to cone 9, and they ring like bells. I have one that is startling with how thin the clay is, yet it so far has been durable. I'll provide photos when I can and contact info.

John Menzel - Milwaukee Wisconsin - he has been making bonsai pots for over 5 years, and his more recent work is getting much better. He is a young guy in his 20's, hopefully a long future ahead for him. I'll take pictures as time permits and provide contact into. He is a member of the Arbor Arts Collective, he's been busy with life lately, we have been encouraging him to get back to pottery. We'll see what he does.
 
Leo in N E Illinois said:
@thams - wow, nice work on your website.

I'll try to get good photos, just brought in a few pots from the back yard, they need to thaw, and get cleaned up a bit.

Two potters not on your list are
Karen Schuman of Glenview, IL - her pots are very well made. She is a near retirement age ceramic arts instructor at Oakton Community College. She fires her pots to cone 9, and they ring like bells. I have one that is startling with how thin the clay is, yet it so far has been durable. I'll provide photos when I can and contact info.

John Menzel - Milwaukee Wisconsin - he has been making bonsai pots for over 5 years, and his more recent work is getting much better. He is a young guy in his 20's, hopefully a long future ahead for him. I'll take pictures as time permits and provide contact into. He is a member of the Arbor Arts Collective, he's been busy with life lately, we have been encouraging him to get back to pottery. We'll see what he does.
Click to expand...

Awesome!!! I have Schuman on my draft list, but no info except for her location. Anything you'd be willing to provide when you get around to it would be great.

Menzel is a new name for me. I added him to my draft list and would love additional info as well. Thanks again!!
 
thams said:
Ohhhhhhhhh, I didn't connect the forum name with the real name. I friended him on Facebook and sent him a message, but he hasn't responded. I don't think he's seen the message yet, but I was hoping to get his permission to use his photos for the site.

And YES, his work is amazing. I especially like his pots carved in the likeness of roots. Really amazing work - I don't see it come up for sale often. I suspect that once in someone's collection, his pots stay put.
Click to expand...
Just checked in ...been quite a while. I haven't received any messages from you on facebook. Maybe its a screen name thing. Thanks for the compliments.
 
thams said:
Hello fellow nuts! I've been mulling over an idea for a while now and wanted to pitch it here to see whether the bonsai community would think it worthwhile. With the growing interest in the bonsai hobby here in the US, there's been an equally growing crowd of potters as well. Through my internet searching I've yet to find a comprehensive space that promotes US potters. There are some really fine ceramics being produced locally that sometimes gets overlooked in favor of traditional eastern containers. I'd personally love to see more trees being shown in American-made pots. There's a special place in my heart (and bench) for eastern pottery as well, but I'm interested in growing the bonsai hobby here in the US.

I'm thinking of putting together a website that lists American potters complete with bios, links to websites, signatures, and examples of work. If possible I'd love to include pottery examples paired with trees from shows (or backyards!). Basically a one stop shop for US bonsai ceramics. Maybe one day I could sell pottery as well, but one step at a time.

Here's a list I pulled together off the top of my head (and a little internet searching). The list might contain some errors here and there. Feel free to correct the list or add to it. Let me know what you think!
  1. Roy Minarai (Greenville, SC)
  2. Nick Lenz (MA) (retired potter)
  3. Don Gould (Pittsburgh, PA)
  4. Max Braverman (WA)
  5. Sara Rayner (Red Wing, MN)
  6. Ron Lang (NC)
  7. Waldo Street Pottery – Eli Akins (Atlanta, GA)
  8. Sharon Muth (WA)
  9. Chuck Iker (Batavia, OH)
  10. Paul Olson (Riverside, RI)
  11. Richard Robertson (ME)
  12. Jan Rentenaar (CA)
  13. Mike Viljak
  14. Rob Addonizio (Lake Helen, FL)
  15. Dale Cochoy (Hartville, OH)
  16. Jim Gremel (Occidental, CA)
  17. Ben Gutman (Washington, DC)
  18. Matthew Harhager (East Canton, OH)
  19. Dave Lowman (Kelley IA)
  20. Rob MacGregor (Clermont County, OH)
  21. Sandi McFarland (Irving, TX)
  22. Keith Taylor (Fairfield, CA)
  23. Diane Thoman (Dinosaur, CO)
  24. Lookout Mountain Pottery – Mark Issenberg (Rising Fawn, GA)
  25. Steven Ziebarth (Cleveland, OH)
  26. Paul Katich (Jacksonville, FL)
  27. Jonathan Cross (Tempe, AZ)
  28. MC2 Pottery - Michele and Charles Smith (Cosby TN)
  29. Jim Barrett
  30. Sonny Boggs
  31. Ken To
  32. Michael Hagedorn (retired potter)
  33. Tom Diming
  34. Michelle Dougherty
  35. Gayle Fiato (NY)
  36. Matt Castle (Brooklyn, NY)
  37. Shawn Bokeno (OH)
Click to expand...
Thank you!
 
BrianBay9 said:
I will mention a new potter to bonsai, but a life-log ceramics professor from Indiana - Michael Thiedeman. I first saw his pots at the MABA show in Indianapolis a year or two back. Very high quality. Unfortunately I can't find any on-line sales presence. Hopefully he'll be selling again at MABA in Indianapolis again this year, July 6, 7, 8.

Also, was not aware of this until today: http://www.bonsai-nbf.org/wp-content/documents/potcompetition/PotCompetitonCatalog.pdf
Many of you may have know of it though. Some new names in there as well.
Click to expand...
Did you find this contact?
 
Cool to read all this info on ceramics. Thanks for the website.

Oldest pot I have held was 1000+ years old. From the Caribbean on a site I worked for two summer seasons for the museum. Amazing when you considered it's age.

Thank you again.
 
Hi all,

I just wanted to revive this thread to put feelers out for any local American bonsai potters that anyone may be willing to provide contact info for. With the generous help of the Brandywine Bonsai Society (Steve Ittel donated all their photos and bio info for my website) I've been able to document a large number of US-based potters. I still have 64 potter entries in draft (not yet published on the website), but I'm starting an intensive search for local potters that may not be well known at a national level. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any info to share. Thanks all!

The website -> Americanbonsaiceramics.com
 
thams said:
Hi all,

I just wanted to revive this thread to put feelers out for any local American bonsai potters that anyone may be willing to provide contact info for. With the generous help of the Brandywine Bonsai Society (Steve Ittel donated all their photos and bio info for my website) I've been able to document a large number of US-based potters. I still have 64 potter entries in draft (not yet published on the website), but I'm starting an intensive search for local potters that may not be well known at a national level. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any info to share. Thanks all!

The website -> Americanbonsaiceramics.com
Click to expand...
You've done an amazing job with the site. Keep up the great work!
 
Jumping it here @thams ...

thams said:
You pose an interesting question about when a person truly becomes a potter. I've seen many debates about the topic, and I think it really boils down to how serious the potter is about mastering clay and how much they intend to charge for their pieces (do they plan to make a living off the pottery). Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing what you put out. You know I'll have to snatch one up once you start selling them!
Click to expand...

Bro...when you do throw me on there, it will be after you got a pot in hand, you know I got you!

You got me so excited I'm bout to bust premature pics!

And....

Effing BS is I been drying on shelves that have warped since I began.
It started driving me off my.....rocker.....Cuz shit was....rockin....but I fixed em all right now....

Happy Dance!

That's a ghost of my biggest oval in the Avatar.

I got it drying in the Styrofoam box I brought them new rocks home in....

I don't know if you're into 2pac...

But I be like...

"Dry slow Mother Fucker Dry Slow"

Riddles in every pot.

Sorce
 
Oh and peep what patience popped a Playa off with!

20171111_124251.jpg

Found it on my way to work.
The whole pile was so new it still had blue sticky paper and shipping tags!
Outside of a Rush Hospital building.
I didn't even know if it was scrap so I had to get to asking people....dude must have went in and asked the workers Cuz they came out and said I could take it!

Still gotta hook up my electrical....

And after 2 months...

Still waiting for things to get closer to bone dry.

GNF!

Bonsai has me Crazy patient!

Sorce
 
sorce said:
Oh and peep what patience popped a Playa off with!

View attachment 166750

Found it on my way to work.
The whole pile was so new it still had blue sticky paper and shipping tags!
Outside of a Rush Hospital building.
I didn't even know if it was scrap so I had to get to asking people....dude must have went in and asked the workers Cuz they came out and said I could take it!

Still gotta hook up my electrical....

And after 2 months...

Still waiting for things to get closer to bone dry.

GNF!

Bonsai has me Crazy patient!

Sorce
Click to expand...


That’s where my exhaust vent went. BASTARD!!!!!

No, nice find. Looks like you really saved a lot of work for yourself with finding it.

My wife has her nursing RN from Rush, and my Borther in law has his PhD from there as well.
 
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