Tuesday, I stopped in on my good island friend, Josh Ratza, for a self guided tour of his workspace.  He did his thing at a leisurely pace, we talked about manly things and womanly things too.  I found lots of nice objects that interested my camera.  It was a rainy day of nothing too extraordinary.  No flaming blow torches and soda firings. No billowing smoke from smoldering mounds of carbon based combustibles.  Not even a fancy throwing of a giant pitcher or something.  Just some simple plates and some slip casting.  Josh isn’t in it for the glory.  The show and the glitz and glam mean nothing to him.  He is like a humble shepherd tending his flock.  A purist who loves to learn from others and share what he has learned along the way.

The artist is also an educator.  You can take lessons at his studio CLAY right in the middle of the island.  To see a more well rounded look at this artist’s life and methodology check out his blog as well.

While you’re enjoying the photos, think of other artist in your area (or on this island,) who you think deserves to have their story told as well.  I have lots of free days this time of year to stop in!