I was born and schooled in Detroit and after my requisite political/hippy years I filled out my political resume working for Congressman John Conyers and Mayor Coleman Young. During the Coleman Young period I was beginning to deep-bed garden and was assigned to direct a food and hunger task force, which furthered my interest in a sustainable future. When it became obvious that I was not cut out for the daily desk, I started building furniture to have an export product when the time came to plant myself and family on the piece of land inspired by Helen and Scott Nearing’s books, and Stewart Brand’s soul satisfying, dream- weaving Whole Earth Catalog. (Also Gene Logsdon’s Two Acre Eden, E. F. Schumacher’s Small is Beautiful, and John Jeavon’s How to Grow more Vegetables).

Following that dream, my wife Patty Arbour, my son Daniel and I landed in Northampton, Mass. to plant our garden and build our life. But life being what it is, the plan evolved in ways unforeseen; the gardens diminished over time and the art expanded. I made custom furniture until the proverbial lemon of a large furniture order cancellation in1984 was turned into the lemonade of The Artisan Gallery, which, under Patty’s direction has supported us to this day. And I spent the next ten years developing a critically successful oil painting career with a nice exhibition and review history. But, more importantly, the die was cast; I would be a maker of things and an explorer of media.

Returning from a short exile in Mexico in 1993 with a handful of negatives, I was encouraged by acclaimed printer John Marcy to explore the possibilities of film. He took me under wing and I fell in love with the magic of the darkroom. Ten years of photography --shooting travel, fashion, nudes, and events followed. I played with light, and movement and distortion. I printed exhibitions for myself and earned my keep printing for others. Again I had a nice exhibition history - one as far as Mexico City - and some validating critical reviews. More than anything, though, I now had a long history of design and studio experience under my belt when I took on what, for me, was the most difficult (and most satisfying) of materials - clay.

I had explored texture with waxes and thickeners and extra layers of canvas while painting, and with shower glass, layering, and emulsion transfers while photographing. And at some point (perhaps 2002) I thought to go right to the source of texture - the earth. That’s where I am now - molding and firing earth. My first solo first clay exhibit will be Oct. 3 - Nov. 9 at The Artisan Gallery.

Please click here to read my statement about this work.

While, in the end, I didn’t grow all my own food here, living in the artist filled pioneer valley has allowed me to learn and explore without a formal art education. Very accomplished furniture makers, painters, photographers, potters and clay artists have been incredibly gracious and open about teaching and sharing. I am forever grateful. Since this site is about my clay work I’ll end here with a list of some of the folks that have brought me to this point in clay with classes, workshops, at firings and over coffee.

Thanks to all,
Chuck

Bob Green, Andy Quient, Jeff Zamek, Sam Taylor, Tom White, Hayne Bayless, Val Cushing, Sadashi Inuzuka, Vince Pitelka, Phil Rogers, Diana Pancioli, Russel Fouts, and Brian Gartside.