My name is Carl Crutchfield and I work in cone 6 and 10 stoneware.
I graduated with a BFA in ceramics from Southwest Missouri State University. Upon graduation, I worked in private Christian education for 25+ years as both a teacher and principal. Retiring in 2005, I had opportunity to reacquaint myself with ceramics by taking classes at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock.
In 2009, my wife and I moved to Alabama where I was able to purchase a wheel and an electric kiln, set up a work area in my home, and began making pottery again. Here I had the opportunity to participate in local show and sale events in Mobile, and Dauphin Island.
In 2013, we moved to Wilmington, NC. There I was able to work at Fat Cat Pottery, a cooperative studio, giving me an opportunity to develop my skill, enjoy the interaction of other ceramic artist, and participate in area shows and sales in Wilmington, Southport, and New Bern.
In June of 2017, we moved to Gower, Mo. just northwest of Kansas City. I have set up studio space in our home and continue to work in cone 6 electric fired stoneware. I was taking classes in cone 10 ceramics at MWSU to improve my skill, work in association with other potters, and take part in state and national shows, until the plague hit, now I am back in the garage. Is this the next chapter?
I get a great deal of pleasure from working with clay and find both the process and discovery to be engaging and challenging. I hope you will find something here you can enjoy also. Take care and walk in peace.
_________________________
Favorite quotes concerning art:
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” - Pablo Picasso
I can relate to this very well and feel that I am engaged in the process of rediscovering the child artist within. I take my art seriously, as does a child, but I am content to let it be what it is, even if childlike.
___________________________
"It is not necessary for the public to know whether I am joking or whether I am serious, just as it is not necessary for me to know it myself. -Salvador Dali
I think this fits well with Picasso's quote, because it is also a quality of children; they love to play and joke, but they can be very serious as well. So, I too must allow myself to joke, to play, and to be serious; and not worry about being understood.
____________________________
"God is really only another artist. He invented the giraffe, the elephant and the cat. He has no real style; He just goes on trying other things.” - Pablo Picasso
"As you grow older, it dawns on you that you are yourself – …your job is not to force yourself into a style but to do what you want." (Hoesen)
I love these two quotes together because they excuse doing what I want in the manner I want. Pottery is a hobby with me, and I do not want my hobby to become an obsession or a taskmaster. I enjoy trying "other things" and feel no need to force myself into one approach or style.
___________________________
"What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." - Ecclesiastes
Not specifically an art statement, yet I believe it still applies. Therefore, I do not need to be overly concerned about how original my work is or isn't. I can also be at liberty to use what I see and appreciate, knowing that I am not stealing original ideas.
I graduated with a BFA in ceramics from Southwest Missouri State University. Upon graduation, I worked in private Christian education for 25+ years as both a teacher and principal. Retiring in 2005, I had opportunity to reacquaint myself with ceramics by taking classes at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock.
In 2009, my wife and I moved to Alabama where I was able to purchase a wheel and an electric kiln, set up a work area in my home, and began making pottery again. Here I had the opportunity to participate in local show and sale events in Mobile, and Dauphin Island.
In 2013, we moved to Wilmington, NC. There I was able to work at Fat Cat Pottery, a cooperative studio, giving me an opportunity to develop my skill, enjoy the interaction of other ceramic artist, and participate in area shows and sales in Wilmington, Southport, and New Bern.
In June of 2017, we moved to Gower, Mo. just northwest of Kansas City. I have set up studio space in our home and continue to work in cone 6 electric fired stoneware. I was taking classes in cone 10 ceramics at MWSU to improve my skill, work in association with other potters, and take part in state and national shows, until the plague hit, now I am back in the garage. Is this the next chapter?
I get a great deal of pleasure from working with clay and find both the process and discovery to be engaging and challenging. I hope you will find something here you can enjoy also. Take care and walk in peace.
_________________________
Favorite quotes concerning art:
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” - Pablo Picasso
I can relate to this very well and feel that I am engaged in the process of rediscovering the child artist within. I take my art seriously, as does a child, but I am content to let it be what it is, even if childlike.
___________________________
"It is not necessary for the public to know whether I am joking or whether I am serious, just as it is not necessary for me to know it myself. -Salvador Dali
I think this fits well with Picasso's quote, because it is also a quality of children; they love to play and joke, but they can be very serious as well. So, I too must allow myself to joke, to play, and to be serious; and not worry about being understood.
____________________________
"God is really only another artist. He invented the giraffe, the elephant and the cat. He has no real style; He just goes on trying other things.” - Pablo Picasso
"As you grow older, it dawns on you that you are yourself – …your job is not to force yourself into a style but to do what you want." (Hoesen)
I love these two quotes together because they excuse doing what I want in the manner I want. Pottery is a hobby with me, and I do not want my hobby to become an obsession or a taskmaster. I enjoy trying "other things" and feel no need to force myself into one approach or style.
___________________________
"What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." - Ecclesiastes
Not specifically an art statement, yet I believe it still applies. Therefore, I do not need to be overly concerned about how original my work is or isn't. I can also be at liberty to use what I see and appreciate, knowing that I am not stealing original ideas.