Mt. Vernon Farm by Gary Carstens

This large tree disc was handbuilt by Gary Carstens in Maquoketa, Iowa. It is made from stoneware clay and was fired in a wood-salt atmosphere. The disk rests on a hand-carved, wood base.

Dimensions: approximately 19.5" tall x 15" wide x 8" deep

As an observer and participant in natural places, Gary Carstens finds himself drawn to geologic planes, vertical and horizontal lines, and other structures that define both intimate and far-reaching environments. These elements have been the inspiration and focus of his current body of work.

I find stoneware to be very responsive to subtle alterations of shape and texture. Since most of my work is wood/salt fired, the forms I create are sensitive to the addition of glaze colorants and other atmospheric kiln effects such as carbon trapping and fuming.  I am simply a student of the process, trying to answer the questions that art asks of me. The exciting thing to me is that this learning is life-long.

Carstens was born in Oak Park, Illinois and received his B.A in fine art with an emphasis in sculpture and ceramics from Monmouth College, in Monmouth, Illinois.  He is the owner of Mississippi Mud Studios in Maquoketa, Iowa.

His pottery is built from stoneware, paper clay or porcelain, and high fired in atmospheric wood kilns.

Find more of Gary's work here.