Dream of Wildflower – Michael Sherrill
” My desire is to create something that might bring the observer to this same place of wonder. For me to respond to a stimulant and then to make it work is one thing, but its another for that work to make the next step and draw a likewise response from the viewer. “…an extract from Michaels artistic statement.
Gifted ceramicist Michael Sherrill draws inspiration from his rural environment in the mountains of North Carolina where he work and lives. This is elucidated by his observation : ” I am compelled by the sensation of seeing things fresh, as if for the first time: like waking from sleep and being surprised by all that surrounds me. In my case, I see the flora and fauna outside my studio, and among them are discoveries and epiphanies.”
His life-like plant sculptures depict a natural fluidity, texture and detail that breathes subtlety and realism into his flora creations. He achieves this by combining porcelain,moretti glass and bronze in his nature sculptures. Their organically patterned, multicolored surfaces involve a painstaking process of layering and abrading and require four kiln firings. In the interest of “expanding what clay can do” Sherrill has introduced metal into his sculptures: “ “How do I draw with small pieces of porcelain? Metal becomes the backbone for a line or an idea that I want to express.” He has also introduced glass for its color and its heightened translucency
In the example below the leaves are from moretti glass ( a specific type of colored glass rod that is melted to create patterns in glass ), the central stamen is porcelain and the branches are bronze.
‘Night Moderne’
Essentially a self taught artist, Michael Sherrill moved from Charlotte, North Carolina to the Western North Carolina mountains in 1974. His primary influences came from being in the proximity of the North Carolina folk pottery tradition and the community surrounding Penland School of Crafts and the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild. Specific individuals who have influenced significantly his development include Cynthia Bringle, Don Reitz and Sid Oakley.
Michael Sherrill
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Along with being an artist, Michael also lectures and is the creator of Mudtools, which was born out of a need to develop a line of innovative clay tools for himself, which he has also made available to other ceramic artists. Maybe this influence came from his father who was a self-taught inventor who patented industrial processes and created machines.
A collection of ceramic works from Michael Sherrill :
Michael Sherrill bottles
Michael Sherrill ceramic lidded vessel
Michael Sherrill ceramic lidded vessel
Descending Rhododendron – Micheal Sherrill
Michael Sherrill black/white teapot
Michael Sherrill abstract sculpture
Michael Sherrill floral sculpture
Fire Within, 2008, Night Flowers series, silica bronze Moretti glass, mokume porcelain.
Michael Sherrill teabowl
Michael Sherrill lidded vessel
Michael Sherrill-vase
Michael Sherrill curvy neck bottle
Three legged vessel – Michael Sherrill
Michael Sherrill – Alma’s Weed, 2003
silica bronze, Moretti glass, porcelain with abraded glaze.
Temple of the Cool Beauty – Michael Sherrill
Yucca, detail, 2006, silica bronze, Moretti glass, porcelain with abraded glaze
Sea Flower, Julesvernium
Michael Sherrill ceramic pottery
Flourish Rhododendron by Michael Sherrill
2008
Extruded, Temperature : Cone6, Glazing/Surface finish : Electric Oxidation
Undressed Magnolia – Michael Sherrill
2003
Mouths to Feed, 2009, silica bronze, Moretti glass, mokume porcelain,
Michael Sherrill abstract bottles
Michaels 5,000-square-foot barn studio – NC, USA
Micheal Sherrill Japanese style vessel
Michael Sherrill ceramic cactus sculptures
” Beauty in a Hard Place “ by Michael Sherrill
( rhododendron growing from a rock sculpture )
The Ramble, Asheville, NC
White House Collection of American Crafts
Michael Sherrill Modern Abstract Sculpture
Michael Sherrill Honey Locust
Michael Sherrill ceramic Vessels
Michael Sherrill Tall Teapot
3 ceramic vessels MichaelSherrill
MIchael Sherrill – Kohler residency
Gold glaze tower teapot – Michael Sherrill
Michael Sherrill teapot
Website Michael Sherrill link here
