Garrett Skyler – Artist Portfolio

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Garrett Skyler – Artist Biography

After three years as a Finance major at CSU Fullerton, I took my first ceramics class in 1988 and quickly realized I was in the wrong major. With an Art degree in hand, I continued working with clay and eventually began teaching adult ceramics classes at the Irvine Fine Arts Center and Aardvark Clay and Supplies in Santa Ana. Realizing that I equally enjoyed teaching and clay, I got my teaching credendial in 2005 and was hired as the full-time ceramics teacher at Huntington High School in 2007. Turning kids onto the world of ceramics everyday is the most rewarding career I could ever imagine.

Pottery has always been my main focus and the aesthetics of Japanese folk and tea ceremony pottery provides much of my inspiration. From the natural wood ash glazes to the often asemetrical forms, these pots embody the aesthetic philosophy of wabi-sabi, which roughly translates as a world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection.

In my travels I collect materials from different areas to incorporate into my pottery. Sand from Lake Tahoe, gravel from high in the Sierras or along a roadside in Utah, all create diferent colors and textures when fired over 2300 F. Some pieces are fired in a kiln that simulates the traditional wood fired pottery of Japan, but can still be done in an urban environment.

I invite you to pick up and hold these pots. They are meant to be felt, used, and enjoyed.