Ron McCrary

My journey with clay began 25 years ago as a simple hobby, but it quickly grew into a profound passion that has become my professional pursuit. There’s something exhilarating about transforming raw earth into beautiful, soulful creations. I made functional pottery for two decades — crafting mugs, platters, vases, and more. Then suddenly, something unexplainable and unexpected captured my life and compelled me to drastically change directions on my artistic journey. I was seized by an unquenchable desire to make canyon sculptures.

Through sculpture, I seek to express my awe and wonder at the power and beauty of creation, especially as found in the canyons of the American Southwest. My exploration of rugged creation has been deeply influenced by years spent studying Palo Duro Canyon in Texas, within hours of my home in Dallas. I want to encourage viewers to feel and think deeply about the awe-inspiring colors, textures, and geological formations of canyons that came to be over millions of years. I am grateful that the passionate pursuit of making sculptures that echo the natural world has allowed me to discover my voice as an artist. I begin each ceramic sculpture by throwing a large clay cylinder on a potter’s wheel. Then, I use my hands and rocks only from Palo Duro Canyon to alter the cylinder’s shape to reflect canyon structures and textures. The rocks are legally and ethically obtained outside the boundaries of the State Park.

Finally, I add colorants and fire the sculptures multiple times to achieve desired colors and effects in my artist’s imagination. Exploring and expressing the magnificence of creation brings me deep satisfaction and nourishes my soul. I hope those who see my work will experience something that lifts them above the routines of ordinary daily life.

I was classically trained to become a professional violinist from an early age. Surprisingly, my formation in the art of music prepared me to become a visual artist.