Artist

Artist Statement:

“I strive to make pretty pots that people want to have in their homes and enjoy everyday. I want my pots to have a timeless quality reflecting my favorite historical works. My influences are classic porcelains of the Song Dynasty in China and Koryo Dynasty of Korea. I’ve always loved the work of Art Nouveau era potter Adelaide Robineau, and her work with crystalline glazes. I enjoy the challenge of the elusive crystalline glaze and technical difficulties of totally pierced porcelains. This is just the combination for the masochistic potter.  “I am proud to now be a part of the rich pottery tradition and community of potters in Seagrove NC.”

Biography:

Born in 1954 to a military family, Frank was not exposed to pottery until college at Missouri State University. He began making pottery in 1975. In 1981 Frank became a full-time production potter at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. There he made functional stoneware such as mugs, plates, and bowls. Frank continues to create these functional pieces to this day.

His true passion, he found was working with crystalline glazed porcelain. Frank saw his first crystalline glazed piece in Glazes for Special Effects by  Herbert Saunders, in the college library. Unfortunately the book, which was out of print, disappeared from the library. Five years later Frank attended a workshop where potter, John Dias, of Arizona, shared the information Frank needed to get started. His love of victorian potter, Adelaide Robineau’s work lead to the addition of cut-work to Frank’s pieces.

Frank married Cindy Wilkerson in the fall of 1976. She taught school in Springfield, Missouri, while Frank worked hard to enhance his throwing and piercing skills. They had their first child, Danielle, in 1985, followed by a son, Marc, in 1989. Frank traveled all over the midwest participating in art shows and selling his art in various galleries for over thirty years. Once both his children where grown and Cindy retired from teaching, they decided it was time to get off the road and open a gallery of their own. Seagrove, North Carolina, known as a pottery destination,was the ideal choice. They bought the historic Auman house on Main Street. In January of 2010 Frank and Cindy started setting up the gallery in their house, while having  a new studio constructed behind the house.  The gallery opened in June of 2010.