Stephen J. Graeber, fine craftsman of clay, has offered his pottery for sale at Consign of the Times in Evergreen. Stephen, who grew up on a farm in northwest Iowa developed early an appreciation for machinery and how things work along with an interest in organic things. A retired engineer, with an interest in archaeology, Steven decided to try his hand at pottery in 1997 after moving to Colorado.
He finds that clay, being an organic medium, allows for unknowns in the creation process. But as an engineer the need to understand and work with these unknowns comes through in his creative process. The dichotomy of unknowns/non control and control becomes a satisfying endeavor rather than a frustrating challenge and as Steven says, "Opening the kiln is like Christmas any day of the year and generally the results involve magic!"
Stevens work involves a process called marbled ceramics. This is a process that results in multiple variations of pattern and colors that looks like a loosely marbled rock or agates. The process is much more difficult than throwing a single clay as the different colored clays that are used have different consistencies. Also two of the critical steps of throwing are not used thus increasing the difficulty even more.
See Steven's vases, bowls and bottles at Consign of the Times located on the second floor of the Rocky Mountain Home & Design Center. Prices range from $30 to $200.
