Paul Eshelman

I have always been drawn to the functional object. I seek the age-old marriage of elegant function and visually interesting form. My clay vessels order and dignify human life.I grew up in Iowa where my developing artistic interests were directed along practical lines. I received my B.A. in art from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington and my M.F.A. in ceramics from the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, Rhode Island. In 1981 I returned to the Midwest; since 1988 I have been living and working in Elizabeth, a small farming community in northwestern Illinois.I make the pieces using a casting process in molds I personally design and make. Areas are left unglazed to contrast visually and tactilely with the glazed surfaces. The pieces are designed for use and should provide many years of service.