Early Years

Focus on learning to respect the traditions of the past, to listen and look for the stories of those who came before us seemed to come naturally growing up in Southern New Mexico. Through finding pottery shards in the vast deserts and plains and learning the basics of ceramic in school I felt a direct connection to those who made a life in this same land long ago. I took every pottery class I could find in New Mexico until one day I found Kathy Cyman at the Art Education Department at UNM in Albuquerque. She taught so many great potters, and I aspired to be one of them. In 2006 I finally began using a unique method shared with the University of New Mexico by potters in Arita, Japan. In this method a potters wheel is used to spin the clay. Using specific steps and tools you throw each pot on the wheel and then trim the outside and foot of each piece. In 2011 I had the wonderful experience of traveling to Arita, Japan and was able to peek into the amazing world and work of this incredible 400 plus year history of handmade porcelain. I am immensely inspired by the methods and traditions the great potters are keeping alive today. It is my aim to create the most beautiful, high quality porcelain art I can.

-Evan Speegle