MY STORY & PHILOSOPHY
Ceramic artist, potter & instructor
Keith Thomson: born Edinburgh, Scotland.
Education: Edinburgh College of Art, Scotland. 1984-1988. Bezalel Art Academy, Jerusalem.
Degree: Art & Design with Honors ( Ceramics and Glass )
Experience:
Royal Mile Pottery, Edinburgh,Scotland. self-employed studio potter, 1988-1992.
Timber Ridge summer camp, Highview West Virginia. Director of ceramics, 1988-1991.
McQueeney Pottery, McQueeney, TX. Production Potter/Manager, 1992-1997. Firehouse Pottery & Gallery, Fort Worth,TX. Gallery Director, Ceramic Artist, Instructor, 2004 - current
'The Kilted Potter'
Turn, turn, my wheel!
Turn round and round
Without a pause, without a sound:
So spins the flying world away!
This clay, well mixed with marl and sand,
Follows the motion of my hand;
Far some must follow,
and some command,
Though all are made of clay!
-HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW.
The first time I touched clay at art school,
I was drawn to its unlimited potential
of design and workability in realizing my creative ideas.
Clay from the earth, water, air and fire are the essential elements which must be harmonized to create a ceramic form. Whether it is a functional bowl, made on the wheel, an abstract sculpture using extrusions, hand built with slabs or cast in a mold, all the basic elements are the same.
The clay needs water to make it workable, air for drying and fire to make it permanent. After that, the limitations are only out with your creative imagination.
My studio is always open. You can come watch me work or get your hands in some clay. Experienced or beginner, young or old, anyone can come to The Firehouse Pottery and experience the creative and magical powers of clay.
'Hands of the potter'
