Rusty Owens

Although I was self taught in the art skills that I dabbled in through out the years I felt formal training might be helpful and started attending Southwestern Community College for graphic design, then Western Carolina University for photography, and every workshop dealing with art that I could find. To my surprise my art didn’t improve, but my confidence did.

With the thought of preserving some of today for the next generation, I have traveled to five states to gather items to incorporate into my pottery (mostly leaves and organic items). I think of it as art first, function second. All my pieces have food grade glaze, dishwasher safe, with the exception of Raku or Horse Hair items which will be clearly marked. They will not hold water. I use my “leafware” on a daily basis; eat from it, just as I would any fine china.

The making of “leafware” is a slow, planned out process. Drying the item can take from 6 to 14 days. The piece is fired first time “bisque” to almost 1900 degrees at a slow rate (almost 24 hours). Then the glaze is applied and a second firing in the kiln (almost 36 hours). Many clay bodies are used to create different “looks” with the glazing, some pieces are stoneware, porcelain, or a medium fire buff clay body.