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Contra Costa Marketplace - July 2016

Getting to Know Richmond July 2016 MARKETPLACEcontracosta.com 29 Being a large volume production studio, Nelson does have a skilled group of staff in the studio who are able to help. “I do all the throwing. For those pieces I’ll throw and trim them, then hand them over to be glazed,” he said. “If it’s a handmade piece I’ll make a few of them and figure out the best way to do it and then show the person who is making the handmade stuff how to do it.” Throughout the more than 25 years Nelson has been a potter he has held a variety of jobs, such as working in factories, riding in a rodeo and being in the Navy, but he always went back to the clay. “I’ve always been interested in the arts but is has always been the physicality of the clay—putting your hands directly on your medium and manipulating it—that makes it fun, relaxing and challenging,” he said. “There’s a lot of detail in all of the processes in ceramics that lend itself to inspiration. The way the clay moves and the different properties of it.” With a steady stream of custom orders, from dishes to sculptures and murals, Nelson makes sure to have personal time honing his craft. “At least once a week, I’ll come in when all the staff is gone and I’ll sit and make a few pieces that are for fun.” This time alone is something that Nelson said is important to him and continuing to build his skill as a potter first and artist second. “I love what I do—I love making things. It holds true for me that my artwork comes on the base of my craft.” before anything else, we’re all human rethink your bias at lovehasnolabels.com


Contra Costa Marketplace - July 2016
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