Tim Steele
I started making pots in 1985, after a long time as an admirer of the work of others. I became a full time potter in 2001, after retiring from a 30-year career in television production. I am self-taught: from books, experimentation, observation and practice. There has also been the occasional but significant workshop and seminar. Four potters who have guided, helped, and influenced me are: Priscilla Hoback, Bill Daley, Doug Casebeer and most importantly, Hiroshi Ogawa.
I build everything by hand. I use a combination of slabs, both soft and leather hard, coils, press and hump molds, and pinching. I also use a variety of objects and tools to impress designs on some of the work. Because of these methods, each piece is unique, although there are several recurring shapes.
I like functional forms: jars, bottles, vases, bowls, and plates. My work is an exploration of these forms built with slabs. I am interested in the effect of altering shapes by changing the relationship and dimensions of the sides and parts. I like to put together several different shapes into one piece. I also explore shapes which arise from the folding of a flat, irregular polygon into a three dimensional form. This method often gives rise to forms, which, while still functional, are also sculptural.
On some work I add impressed decoration. This decoration often contains designs inspired by Native American beadwork and blankets. Frequently, I make pieces where this design seems to continue off the edge of the work, or where the work seems to have been cut out from a larger whole. With my plates especially, I try for a fragmented or shard look. I use this decoration on edges to accentuate the form and to strengthen the joint.
I especially like the effects that wood and soda firing gives to my pots. The randomness and unpredictability of the flames help to soften the hard-edged geometrical nature of some of the pots and enhance the designs I put on others.
My studio is at my home outside of Corvallis, Oregon where I live with my wife and two Shetland Sheepdogs.