Daniel Bennett & Teisha Bennett

As a ceramic artist, I have found my home with wheel-thrown stoneware. Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in Ceramics, I have gotten my hands dirty with clay for over a decade now. My inspiration comes from the surroundings that I have grown up around and learned to love. There are many rugged trees, hills and rolling creeks; which lend to my emphasizing the contrast of rough textures and smooth curved surfaces in my work. I also strive for my pieces to have an earthy yet elegant look, but also be functional as all things in nature. I like making pottery that people can bring into their homes and use or just to enjoy. To me, both features serve a function, the enrichment of people’s lives.

My current work is created primarily using the potters wheel and slab roller then adding texture. The work is twice fired in a propane downdraft kiln, first after the piece has been built and again after the staining and glazing. I make all of my own glazes and stain from scratch. The oxidation and reduction from my kiln that I built, reacts with my glazes in appealing ways to achieve their finished appearances.