Earth Evolution Mug Set

In summer of 2022, I visited the glaciers in Cordova, Alaska.  Here I witnessed the visceral experience of glaciers cutting through the landscape over thousands and millions of years.  It inspired me to depict the earth's evolving process over millions of years in 6 mugs. First starting with the glaciers(Glacier), then cut out the landscape with ragged edges(Jagged), only to be softened over time with rain and wind into knolls(Knoll), furthering into a desert(Desert), eventually the soil particles making its way into air(Sea Sky), flown back to the sea(Ocean), completing its full natural circular cycle

A Man’s Art Journey

A Man’s Art Journey

15 years ago, in 2008, during the Great Recession, out of nowhere, I got a call from a person who said he was about to embark on his new art career. He asked if I would help him get started. When the art world seemed dark at the time, he had an enthusiasm that had its own clock, not worried whether the economy was good, or was it the right timing for him to begin a new adventure. I was perplexed with his enthusiasm and conviction during such times. A time when most artists were dormant, weathering the tough times, he was plowing full steam ahead. He had just turned 60, and he was ending his entrepreneurial days running a window frame company to begin being a wood sculptor.

He was once an art teacher, and he knew deep inside that one day he would pursue being an artist. He already gained quite the wood skill sets from making high-end wooden frames for large windows. He shared with me the many mechanically intriguing kinetic sculptures he wanted to create. For the next 6-8 months, maybe it was a year, we would connect weekly to discuss art and review his process and results mechanically, aesthetically and philosophically. He wanted me to share my art experience as a gallerist with him. Those who met him would be surprised how much youthful energy he had in creating large works. He wasn’t physically a big man, but boy was his sculpture and vision monumental! Art is often about contrasts. He literally embraced that. Of all the artists I have had the privilege to work with over the years, he was special. He just had a sense of who he was without any embellishments or doubts.

He once or twice mentioned to me that he thought he might have 15, maybe 25 years to do this in the last part of life. He wasted no time going into the studio making work. In no time, his body of work grew which led him to do an exhibit at the Bellevue Arts Museum, eventually making his way into the stable of artists at Foster White Gallery where he showed regularly. His work was lightweight with impeccable wood craftsmanship which led into several architectural commissions. His personality wasn’t the dynamic type with bravado. He however was equally hardworking with a vision and a steady and methodical flow to his process. The process of the craft captured his imagination. If you ever had an art history class, you could easily see the resemblance of the great Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi, the father of modern sculpture. There was no hype or over selling with him. Just good old hardwork and workmanship. His curious spirit never ended.

Once his career got going, a few years into his new art path, we wouldn’t see each other much. Some five years later, when I reopened my gallery in the International District, he showed up and saw me renovating the space. He graciously rolled up his sleeves and helped me put up the drywall and mudded the seams. He told me once upon a time, he was a construction contractor, and for whatever reason the carpenters didn’t show up, he filled in to do the work. You could say he was quite the renaissance man. He was proud of his Jewish culture and shared with me many stories over a meal. He always insisted on splitting the bill. I sometimes would say, “let me pay for the meal, you can get the next one.” He never lost sight of fairness.

Another 7-8 years went by, and when we reconnected a few years ago during the pandemic, he showed me his newly constructed studio that almost looked like an airplane hanger, 3 storeys high in the forested woods of Snohomish. There he could make his 20-30 foot tall sculptures straight up without having to do them in sections. It was an artist's dream studio! Although we spoke a few more times on the phone since then, it was my last time with him in person. We even played a fun game of ping pong.

Paul Vexler, a man who loved his wife and family passionately, lived an honest and full life with a tireless work ethic. He passed away, December 14, 2022, three days ago at age 75. Today I am 60, the same age in which he embarked on his new art career 15 years ago. What a beautiful life he lived. He showed by example how to live it well. Paul, your spirits will continue to inspire many of us.

As we look back to 2022

Holiday greetings!

The end of the year is a time for reflection. As we look back to 2022, we can proudly say, “What a productive year it was!” We have continued to tap into our curiosity to expand our body of work, create new types of pottery that highlight the earth-friendly nature of ceramics, and to further explore its use as part of a sustainable practice.  

Eating, drinking and cooking using our favorite pottery is a savored and treasured experience. Doing so teases the taste buds and makes everything flavorful; even the water! 

Cheers and happy holidays for a better world tomorrow. 

Bryan & Junsen

Old-fashioned water purification method

I discovered a way to replace the Brita water filtration system with an old-fashioned water purification method. A simple combination of Binchotan (charcoal sticks) placed inside my handmade ceramic pitcher and water from the faucet make for a down-to-earth, non-plastic alternative. This earth-friendly option fits my mission to create pottery that utilizes materials from nature.

The carving helps take some of the weight off while maintaining the tensile strength of the pitcher, plus giving it a bold and pleasing aesthetic. The handle has a solid feel despite its hollow structure, thrown in a tubular shape rather than rolled and pulled. The idea was inspired by Jules Agard, the potter who made Picasso's pitchers.

Children know…

“Papi, you forgot to paint it.” This was my 4 year old grandson’s comment when I poured milk into his pinched clay cup. I intentionally unglazed the outer surface so the texture of the clay could be felt. This was his first time using it. My goodness, he is already aware of such small differences. We adults underestimate children’s perceptive nature. From an early age, they are forming their worldview starting from touching it.

He and his identical twin brother have been exposed to pottery(earth) since they were two as their small fingers and palms could grab and hold onto objects with some control. “Let their first touches of the world be that of earth not the lifeless form of plastic.” That has been my motto. Children of today living in an urban setting are robbed of their encounter with nature already starting from the dinner table. Plastic is everywhere from the frantic daily life of an urban dweller. We don’t even bat an eye how unusual this scene might be. It’s everywhere from their pre-school lunch to fast food drive throughs. But when they visit me which is often, they get to use their toddler size pottery I make for them. I watch them hold the small bowls in their hand cradling it with care while eating. They drink their milk like an adult with their one hand so proudly.

His comment of, “You forgot to paint it,” comes from the fact that up until this point, all the work has been glazed(to him its paint) with a shiny surface inside and out, but this time I gave and unglazed one. He immediately noticed the difference and when he said it, my response was, “Isn’t that wonderful? It feels different doesn’t it?”

These young minds already know the difference. They are actively grasping the world around them through their sense of touch. I can only wonder what a loss it may be who never get this visceral encounter. A world that is just shiny colorful plastic can be disorienting. Plastic afterall has no sense of balance with size, weight, and texture to the reality of nature. Human’s hands evolved to appreciate the tiniest subtleties, yet most of our children today put those capabilities into a dormant state unknowingly. I worry the unknown subtle psychological imbalances it creates.

I don’t need to read or wait for some scientific research to know that a world filled with plastic is unnatural and unhealthy for humans, especially the young children growing up.

Bryan Ohno

When in doubt, Blue

Julia Crandall

My upcoming show of the Clear Sky series of porcelain pottery is titled, “When in doubt, Blue.” It is dedicated to my first and only pottery boss, Julia Crandall who gave me my first chance as a professional potter in Orcas Island. I was still a student at University of Puget Sound, and I was eager to prove my skill sets in the professional pottery world. It was the summer of 1983. She was in her 90’s.

I still remember her voice. A high pitched note with a soft overtone. She would always say to me, “Bryan… you need to make more blue pots. When in doubt, Blue.” That was her motto. Back in those days, I hated blue or at least on pots. The blue glazes were just not appealing to me, too gaudy so to speak. So I would reluctantly sprinkle in blue pieces here and there to please her.

I was fortunate to work with someone a few generations ahead of me. They saw the world differently. She grew up during the depression where there was this vitality that kept her mind fresh, and she wasn’t afraid to have a 20 year old working for her. She had this soft way of managing myself and the other potter who worked alongside. You knew if you were doing things right, because at 4pm, she would bring out tea and oatmeal cookies she baked. On occasion if she wasn’t please with your work, you wouldn’t get tea that day. It was that simple. And guess what. After a few weeks of getting this delight late in the afternoon, you really miss it when you don’t. Boy was she a force. Her pottery studio was one of the first in the northwest, and she championed it all the way. It is still quite active and flourishing. They are now on the 4th generation of family potters working there.

Julia, this is for you. Cheers!

Circa mid 1980’s, at Orcas Island pottery, Eastsound, WA

From the Clear Sky series, hand thrown porcelain mug with clear sky and silk white glaze, 2021