Thomas Pottery Studio

My mom and I once visited an art museum where we came across a blue painting made by Ad Reinhardt. I was in awe. My mom, as with most viewers I’m sure, was unimpressed and annoyed. What is this?!? It’s just blue. Why? Ad Reinhardt is a particularly funny abstract painter to be annoyed with because he seems to have been annoyed with himself throughout his career, constantly trying to dissociate his work from any possible meaning, painstakingly applying ultra thin layers of p...aint to avoid brushstrokes that may be misinterpreted as shifting the value to the makers mark. Eventually he painted with black to remove the possibility of attaching any meaning to the colors used. Still, the pieces have a unique way of reflecting light, they sort of glow and the subtle shift in value makes the piece feel alive with movement. I think that my mothers perspective is honest and valid. The emotional connection many viewers have is also honest and valid. Neither is correct. This is where abstraction gets interesting. It is particularly interesting when it is put in a certain setting with implied meaning. These are my Shoreline mugs. Some see the ocean. Some, a neutral mug with a little line of blue. To be fair, there is a lot about this cup that is not neutral. It has a sensual shape, a defined and grounded foot, depth and texture in the glaze, tactile contrast between the rough unglazed surface and the slippery smooth glass. This is no Reinhardt. It also isn’t the ocean and it isn’t not the ocean. The title forces implied meaning. Is there some value in taking the world’s most vast and seemingly limitless space and condensing it down to a simple line? Or is it just a cup? For me, this mug dances the line of just a pretty cup and meaningful and relevant art. Regardless, it does still have a function, it’s microwave/dishwasher safe and we can all appreciate that, so buy some mugs from me and pay my bills. Shop re-stock is July 3rd. thomaspotterystudio.com #thomaspotterystudio #handmademugs #pottery #handmade #handmadegifts #giftideas #makersmovement #makersgonnamake #pottersofinstagram #abstractart #arthistory #historylesson #smallbiz #buylocal #shopsmall #buyhandmade

Live videos for sales will post to this page but if you want a chance to purchase after the live sale or you want access to discounted pre-sales join this group and add your friends! Next shop re-stock is July 3rd!!