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Dee began his
journey as a potter in 1974, while earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts
in Art Education at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas.
There he was introduced to the basic craft of handmade pottery, as
well as to English potter Bernard Leach’s A Potter’s Book.
Leach’s philosophy of preserving the craft of the potter in
the face of rising industrialism really intrigued him.  Dee
entered graduate school at Texas Woman’s University, also in
Denton, receiving a Master of Arts in Ceramics in 1980. His instructor
at TWU was John Brough Miller. John Miller’s approach to teaching
was to provide his students with technical knowledge of the ceramic
arts without interfering with each of his student’s own personal
artistic direction. Dee credits this environment with giving him the
confidence to become a full time working potter. Photo
- Wood burning Kiln, Texas Woman's University 1978 Dee’s
first exposure to wood firing was helping construct a wood kiln at
the studio home of Ishmael Soto near Austin, Texas in the spring of
1978. Dee returned to graduate school and constructed a wood burning
kiln behind the art department at TWU. Photo
- Wilson and Company Pottery, Guadalupe County, Texas 1858-1900He was first interested in using wood as a fuel because of his interest in renewable sources of energy. He quickly learned of the aesthetic affects of wood fly ash on his pottery and continues to use it for both reasons. After graduation, Dee became the resident potter at the historic Old City Park in Dallas, Texas. There, he made his pottery on a traditional “kick” wheel and fired a wood fueled salt kiln. Working at Old City Park exposed him to the rich tradition of the early American Southern Stoneware potters. He saw himself as a continuance of this tradition. This historical connection to the past, through the potter’s craft, has given him great inspiration over the years.  Two
years later, in 1982, Terry, Dee and one year old son Austin, began
searching for a location to start their own pottery. Being native
central Texans, they were interested in the Texas Hill Country and
decided to start their pottery in Gruene, Texas. Two years later,
their second child Claire was born, and they began to settle in to
raising a family and operating a pottery. photo
- Guadalupe Ruver, Gruene TexasTerry’s initial involvement in the pottery was managing the gallery and assisting in the workshop. Soon she began to explore her own creative expression in clay. Being the avid gardener, Terry’s work reflects the rich organic textures of the flora and fauna of their region. Terry and Dee remain committed to preserving the craft of the potter and continually educate the public to the rich heritage of handmade pottery. They help organize the Texas Clay Festival held on their pottery grounds each fall. They also volunteer in the local schools and sponsor a children’s clay workshop every spring. |