Michael J. Rosen,
on his ceramics

Inspired by the flora and fauna here in the Appalachian foothills of Central Ohio — even if some are exaggerated—each vessel, platter, pitcher, bowl or mug is an original improvisation. That is the pleasure in making for me: Not duplicating a work over and over, but allowing each work to become an original expression of form, illustration and color.

Nearly all works are thrown on the wheel, and then manipulated to create concavities or ribs or bulges that will add further dimension —further “hand feel” — to the object. After each has hardened a bit, I begin the real composition. How will the branches or the water ripples travel across the piece? What creatures should fit where? What sort of leaf shape?

As I draw and then carve these visuals into the clay body, I’m also concentrating on creating a surface that will afford the greatest tactile pleasures. The pleasure of holding in your hands an object built in my hands.

I’ve written, illustrated, edited or photographed over 150 books in a long career that has ranged from illustrating for Gourmet and the New Yorker to editing works of James Thurber, cookbooks, poetry, children's books…

 But ceramics have been a passion since my college years, (pre-med classes, with a counterbalancing share of time in the pottery studio). And now, at last, I have the chance to apply my love and knowledge of natural history and my illustration techniques to the clay surfaces.