Fisher Stoneware

—Maegan visits an artist’s studio for a show of drawings and pottery, and she finds some nice camaraderie along the way.–the artbog editors—————–> Willi Singleton and Beverly Fisher prove that the old adage is true—good things do come in small packages. Fisher opened her studio to the public over Memorial Day weekend with invited guest, potter Willi Singleton for an intimate home show of their respective work. Singleton displayed his handmade functional pottery in the garden, while Fisher showed her drawings inside the studio. Their show, while small in scale, was full of vigor. Fisher and Singleton blended fine art with a casual setting, good company and cheer to create a truly enjoyable afternoon.

Willi Singleton’s “Slow Clay” movement – community-spirited and nature referencing

Entering the garden, my friends and I were greeted by Singleton’s wares displayed on flagstones along the path to the studio. Singleton remarks that he sees his pottery as “windows to nature, ” explaining that he takes material from around his home on Hawk Mountain and creates an expression of the beauty he sees in the natural environment. Singleton’s process is painstaking– he first digs raw, “wild” clay from around Hawk Mountain and then processes it by hand along with clay from the Chesapeake Bay area into a workable material. His forms are then thrown on a kick-wheel, glazed and wood-fired.

Further utilizing the nature surrounding his property, Singleton uses bamboo, cornstalks and dried grasses culled from around his home to create the different ash glazes on his wares. The artist’s forms are sturdy and reference masculine qualities, while his glazing is graceful and organic. Singleton points out a pot and explains that the swooping lines of glaze are meant to reference the way grasses bend in the breeze. Another platter features a poured glaze design and very closely resembles a wintry field covered in snow.

His wood firings are something of a happening. Friends and neighbors gather to take part in the day-long (or sometimes two-day-long) firing process.