Member Spotlight is a column creating solely for the purpose of getting to know the artists in our group and the work that they do. Clay Alliance members are chosen at random for these interviews, so watch out, you might be next. For now, give yourself a break from clay, or your otherwise hectic life and join me in a very interesting interview with one of the Clay Alliance's most unassuming, yet very talented artists: Todd Feazell.

Todd is by far, one of the quietest persons that I have ever met, which seems like an understatement, that is, until you spend a few hours with the guy. Getting to know Todd is simple enough, all you have to do is talk about clay. He is in the class of potters who "eat, sleep and breath" a life of clay. Yet, Todd does it with unmatched fortitude. Todd's entire life is centered around clay; which is evident by the excessive studio hours he keeps, the many shows he attends per year and the impressive collection of works that he owns. There is not a shelf, nook or corner of the Feazell home that sits empty. He has many pots, a few created by our very own Clay Alliance members, yet most made by well-known potters, each having a story to tell. Just across the newly hung dining room wall lies his very own gallery full of shelves overflowing with wood fired stoneware and porcelain pieces. It was all very impressive, and I must say, quite an adventure to be in a gallery within a gallery.

It is obvious that Todd has many riches in his life: an undeniable passion for clay, a new home, studio and gallery and the love and support of friends and family. I have met many spouses who are involved in their partner's life of clay. They support and nurture, help out at shows and in the studio or galleries. However, when you get an opportunity to meet Robin, his wife of 8 years, it is evident that supporting her spouse in his passion, has become her passion. Even though she is in her own right, her own woman, you are left with an impression that she surpasses the mere definition of "supportive spouse". Perhaps it's the pregnant glow or obvious love and admiration of her husband, his aspirations or achievements. I'll never know for certain. I'd like to believe that it is a mix of all of the above. What I do know for certain, is there is a goodness in her heart that touches you, and it touches "the potter" and seeing that firsthand is a magical thing.

Todd's first interest in clay began at the tender age of fifteen while attending Finneytown High School. His teacher, Don Bush, taught all of the art classes where there was no real emphasis on clay, yet somehow the ceramics class was always full. He decided to join this class and was immediately hooked. By the time he was a senior, he was in the ceramics studio 3 out of 6 periods. Todd developed a close personal relationship with Don and reports that he was a wonderful teacher. Todd says, "He was not the type of teacher who believed there was only one way to throw pots. He found the good in what many might consider a screw up. I wouldn't say he was a spectacular potter, even though he could have been. Instead he chose to be a spectacular teacher." It is interesting to note that Todd's high school counselors advised him against a life of clay. It just goes to show you that a young person can have an inner knowledge of themselves and what path they should take in life. Todd found that path and forged ahead.

In Todd's senior year he purchased his own wheel. It was a Brent kickwheel kit, the type that was made out of plywood, 2X4's and bricks for the flywheel, which weren't much fun to throw on. Upon graduating in 1986, he purchased a used kiln, which he currently still uses, and a Brent CXC. Todd knew for certain that he wanted to be a potter and very much wanted to attend Alfred University in NY. Money being an obstacle, he opted instead to attend the University of Cincinnati and took a ceramics course, which turned out to be a less than rich experience as the professor was strictly into hand building. It was never understood why there were 15 wheels in storage not being used. Todd decided to stop wasting time and left the University of Cincinnati after a short eighteen months. This decision to leave the University was perhaps his best move yet.

Todd's personal clay story is quite impressive. His body of work has developed over the many, many years he's practiced the art of making clay. He poured over written materials and educational videos and has an impressive list of workshops attended over the years, including Mark Burrellson, Bill Broullard, Jeff Oestrich, Robin Hopper, Patrick Horsley, Don Sprague, Tom Coleman, Ruthanne Tudball, Randy Brodnax and Don Reitz. In 2002, he served as technical assistant to Robin Hopper's Glaze Development Course. Todd has developed close personal friendships with many of these accomplished potters. These relationships were formed while attending Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts (MISSA) in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. You'll read more about MISSA in the Q&A section that follows.

Randy Brodnax says of Todd, "I know the other side of him. The first impression is that he is very quiet and doesn't say much. But, his skill and his aesthetic criteria make for a delightful experience. When Todd and I work together, his individualized creativity steps forward. He always offers a different slant. So many times Todd has offered his ideas and unknowingly opened neat creative avenues for myself. Most of these moments of inspiration come out of the academic environment. Todd is a bodacious experience in clay."

Todd was recently invited to participate in the Master Craftswork exhibit at the Studio San Giuseppe Art Gallery at the College of Mount St. Joseph. Our very own Pam Korte was instrumental in bringing Todd into this show that opened last month on September 28th and runs through November 2nd, 2003. Pam says it was a purely emotional decision to ask him to join this impressive list of Master Craftsmen. When I asked Todd about the show invitation, he told me he was surprised and honored to join these artists, as he has great respect for the group.

Pam's admiration of Todd's work began two years ago when she saw a celdon glazed porcelain unomi in his booth and strongly considered buying it. She walked away from it and after a short time returned to find that it had been sold. Pam has regretted not trusting her first instinct to purchase that unomi. Recently, she did buy a white porcelain tumbler from Todd [Winterfair] and enjoys it so much she uses it nearly every day. Pam says, "Todd's body of work speaks for itself and is very impressive. I especially like his porcelain work."

When I asked Pam if she had known Todd from the years he's been in the Clay Alliance, she said, "No, not really, but he does have a level of professionalism that others in our group could learn from, and I would urge him to encourage those people to grow as professionals."

Here's more of my interview with Todd:

SK: How long did you study, practice and attend workshops before starting to sell your work? I see from your bio that you started workshops in 1987 and ten years passed before your first Children's Hospital Fund Raiser. Did you sell any work in those ten years? TF: I was selling my work as early as high school…to friends and family. My first real experience with the public was in the late 80's when I did a two-day demo workshop at a gallery in Celina, OH. I met the owner of this gallery at a workshop at Miami University and he invited me to do this demo. He advertised in the local paper and had a big neon sign in front of his shop "come watch Todd Feazell throw a 3 foot pot". I was a nervous wreck as I recall! It's not easy to throw a 3 footer when your hands are trembling from nerves! But I did manage to bust it off. There were a few other little craft shows that I did after that, but none worth mentioning.

SK: You also have an eight year break from workshops. Was there a reason for this? TF: I guess the 8-year break was simply a matter of finances and not really seeing anything being offered at Miami that interested me. I also spent a lot of time traveling around the country. I was in my late teens and early twenties after all! OK, OK, I guess I should be honest here…I was a DEADHEAD! I followed the Grateful Dead around from 1987 until 1995, but I did continue to make pots and even sold at some of the many, many concerts I saw. I can't say that is the entire reason for the lack of activity though. I was renting different places and simply did not have the space to set up a studio. Furthermore, I had to keep a day job in order to buy a house, upon which doing I immediately set up a studio in my basement and that is when I really got serious about getting into selling and fulfilling the dream.

SK: Tell me more about the Pottery Fund Raiser for Children's Hospital. Are you talking about Cincinnati's own CHMC? TF: My wife is a teacher at the daycare for CHMC employee's kids. Her director liked my pottery and suggested I do a fundraiser. I set up for a day or two and give a percentage of my sales to the daycare. It really works out well for both the hospital and me. I've continued to do these fundraisers each year and have one scheduled for this coming December.

SK: You've attended some pretty awesome workshops. Tell me more about how you got started going to workshops. Many young potters don't quite get the fact that workshops are fundamental in order to grow as an artist. Did you have an advisor or did you just happen to figure this stuff out by yourself? TF: I think my high school teacher told me about Craftsummer at Miami and that is why I started going there. In 1997, I discovered Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts (MISSA). This is a program that was started by Robin Hopper. I was familiar with Hopper from his books and videos and that is what first got me going to BC, Canada. I fell in love with the place and continued going for the next 6 years. I unfortunately did not make it this year but will be attending next year for sure. MISSA really pulls in some high caliber instructors, which I have greatly benefited from.

SK: How did you get to serve as technical assistant to Robin Hopper's Glaze Development Course? TF: Well, after attending for so long, I kind of became a regular and knew my way around the school. So, the administrator asked if I would tech for Robin. This allows me to go for free and pretty much do what I want while I'm there. I, of course, assist in the Glaze Development course, but am also able to float in and out of the throwing courses.

SK: Tell me more about MISSA and your experiences there. TF: MISSA is truly a magical place. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in doing workshops. It is very affordable, about $1000.00 for two weeks. That fee covers your tuition, room and board. The campus is just beautiful and is located right on the coast of BC on Pedder Bay. I always return home totally re-energized and full of ideas. I still find myself working through things I picked up 5 years ago. I believe Robin Hopper may be retiring from teaching his course after this coming year…it will be the 20th anniversary of the summer school. I will definitely be there again next year.

SK: Do you subscribe to Ceramics Monthly or any other pottery magazines? What do you think of CM? TF: Yes I subscribe to CM and have for the past 15 or so years. I think it's a great magazine. Like everyone else, I don't always love the work that is featured, but I think it is a great magazine, nonetheless. I subscribe to other mags off and on. Clay Times is pretty good, but presently my subscription has lapsed. I subscribed to Pottery Making Illustrated for a couple of years, but found it to be a bit elementary.

SK: I noticed that you received some nice awards in the year 2002. Was this a direct result of your firing changes? TF: Awards are a funny thing and I don't put much stock into them. I've received 3 or 4 more this year and I give up trying to figure out why I get them. I can be at a show surrounded by what I feel is rather weak work and not win a thing. Then I'll be at a show featuring some really strong work that I really admire and I'll win something. So, I guess we are at the mercy of the judges, just as we are with juries. You simply never know what an individual is going to like.

SK: Are you firing to cone 10? What blend of clay do you use? TF: I fire to a very hot cone 10…probably closer to 11. I use Standard's 182 white stoneware and occasionally Tom Coleman's porcelain.

SK: What is your favorite form to make? TF: I really love making loose forms and my work is beginning to show it. I really like making those tumblers. I also enjoy carving, although, the general public just doesn't get the prices put on pieces that are carved. They willingly pay for the clay and the glaze and the pot form, but don't want to pay for the hours it takes to carve a piece.

SK: Now, a tough question. If you could name one person in the CA whose work you admire, who would it be and why? TF: I would have to say that I admire the work of Allan Nairn and Terri Kern. I also like Fred Cook's wood fired work. I'm sure if I had more time to get to know more members that list might increase.

SK: Many of us have close friends in the CA. Is there someone that you regularly turn to for support/ideas/critique? TF: Let's see….. I would have to say Greg Neal. I talked him into joining this past year. I've known him for only a few years, but he has helped me a great deal with respect to doing shows. Greg is a very sharing person in this respect and I try to return the favor whenever possible. I have met a lot of potters who are quite the opposite. Many individuals do not want to share information about a good show or a nice glaze recipe, etc. My personal feeling on this issue of sharing is to just be open and honest. After all, anything that can be done, has already been done by someone in the history of pottery.

SK: Take us through a typical "clay" day in the life of Todd Feazell. TF: A typical day, hmmm….. Well I start working by 7:30 and usually go until 5:00pm. Many nights I have to get back in the studio after dinner, though. There isn't anything really "typical" about doing this as a living. Everyday is different. When it's a throwing day I try to produce 500 to 1000 dollars worth of pots a day. Then, the next day involves a lot of trimming and handling. But I definitely can't say I have a routine, other than simply being in the studio just about every day of the week.

SK: What is it that you do for motivation on those days that you don't feel like dragging yourself into the studio at 7:30am? TF: What do I do for motivation? Hmmm. As far as dragging myself out there, I pretty much don't have a choice really...I mean it's my job! We all have bills, right? Once I'm out there, I just decide what has to be done and do it. I sometimes don't like the things I have to do. For instance, pug clay, mix and sieve glazes...that type of stuff. Music definitely helps. I have a 200 CD changer and a speaker in each corner of the studio, so it doesn't take too long to get in a groove of some sort and start busting some pots out.

SK: How many hours do you work per week? TF: I work a minimum of 50 hours a week and as much as 70. I make it a point to make time for family, though. I think that is of utmost importance. I have a 20 month old little boy, Clayton (Clay), who I spend as much time with as possible and I have a daughter on the way this month.

SK: How many shows do you do per year? TF: By the end of this year I will have done about 25 shows.

SK: Do you have a photographer that you regularly use? TF: My most recent slides were done by a man named Jerry Anthony, from Columbus, OH. He sets up at the ODC shows, so it is very convenient to get my slides done each year at Winterfair.

SK: Do you have a website in the works? TF: No, not yet. I've been talking about it for years, though.

SK: What advice would you give to a fledgling potter today? TF: Don't dive head first into this occupation. I worked a full time job on top of potting 40 hours a week for many, many years. This allowed me to get somewhat established before having to actually count on selling pots. For beginners, I'd say, "Have fun." Don't treat your pots too preciously….it's just clay after all. Develop your forms and technique.

SK: How did you find out about the Clay Alliance and when did you join? TF: I joined in 1999 I believe. I don't really recall how I found CA. If I'm not mistaken, Jane at the Earthen Vessel may have told me about it.

SK: What do you enjoy the most about being a member of CA? TF: Getting to meet other potters. That is what made me join to begin with. I had no idea about the Spring Sale initially, but I now look forward to the sale each year. I particularly like the feeling I get by being able to donate pots for empty bowls and media sponsors.

SK: Is there anything you would change about this group or the activities that we hold? TF: One thing I would like to change is my ability to get more involved. I do try to compensate my lack of involvement by donating generously. I simply have more pots to give than time! It is just tough to do so with so many shows and a growing family. I did try to put together a workshop last October while a friend [Deb Taylor] was in town from Canada, but it was a last minute effort and I just didn't have enough time to do it. I have made a lot of contacts at MISSA and have a few recognized potters willing to come to my studio to put on a weekend workshop. Randy Brodnax and I have been talking about doing this for years. Randy is a potter from Texas who is just a hoot and puts on a great workshop. Maybe I can make this happen next year. I would love to see an additional sale put together, possibly a holiday sale.

Todd Feazell's gallery, located at 1544 Compton Road, is open from 10:00am-6:00pm Tuesday through Saturday, when he is not doing a show. You can contact him at 513-522-7687 or email him at tfeazell@fuse.net to make an appointment.

I hope you've enjoyed our second installment of Member Spotlight. You can see Todd Feazell's artist biography in full detail on our website at www.clayalliance.org.

Sharon Kabbes is a mother of two young girls, works at night in her Sweetwine Pottery studio and participates in the Clay Alliance as a Board Member, handling publicity matters.

Todd's Bio:

Todd Feazell A Touch of Earth Pottery 1544 Compton Road Cincinnati, OH 45231

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

I first discovered pottery while in high school and was immediately hooked. Upon graduation I purchased a potter's wheel and shortly thereafter, a kiln. While I am primarily self-taught, my art has evolved greatly due to the many wonderful potters I have been able to work with. These teachers have helped not only to develop my throwing abilities, but also have educated me on how to formulate and gain control of glazes and their materials. After many, many years of working in a cramped basement I now have a wonderful and spacious studio as well as a retail gallery. I have also recently changed my method of firing from electric to gas. This change has brought about many new possibilities with regards to glazes. I am firing at a higher temperature now which I feel produces a more durable ware. This rise in firing temperature is what prompted me to begin to work with porcelain. The particular blend I use withstands very high temperatures and if thrown thin enough, becomes translucent. I still use a white stoneware clay body for my functional line and save the porcelain for the more one of a kind items.

WORKSHOPS ATTENDED:

MIAMI UNIVERSITY:

1987 – Mark Burrellson (pottery)

1988 – Bill Broullard (pottery)

1989 – Jeff Oestrich

METCHOSIN INTERNATIONAL SUMMER SCHOOL OF THE ARTS (MISSA)  VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA. CANADA

1997 – Robin Hopper (glaze and color development)

1998 – Patrick Horsley (pottery)

1999 – Don Sprague (pottery)

2000 – Tom Coleman (pottery)

2001 – Ruthanne Tudball (pottery)

2002 – served as technical assistant to Robin Hopper’s Glaze Development Course.

Some Recent Shows/Art Fairs

Children’s Hospital Pottery Fundraisers 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002

Louisville, KY – Holiday Art Fair 2001

Pottery Sale at Rookwood 2001, 2002 and 2003

Dan Emmitt  Arts Festival, Mt. Vernon, OH  - Award of Excellence Received –2002, Honorable mention 2003

Sharonville Arts Festival – Blue Ribbon Prize – 2002

Chautauqua of the Arts – 2002

Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art – 2002

Cincinnati Winterfair – 2002

ODCE Clearance Sale – Col’s. Oh 2003

Madeira Art Fair-2002 & 2003

Wyoming Art Fair –2002 & 2003 ( Honorable Mention)

Toledo – Old West End Art fair- 2003 (First Place Ribbon)

Royal Oak, MI – Clay and Glass Show 2003

Worthington , OH Art fair 2003 (Honorable Mention)

Centerville Art Fest – 2002 &2003

Cleveland, OH St. John’s West Shore 2003

Cleveland, OH Willoughby Art Fest 2003