ceramic Covered Vessel Raku fired with driftwood cm568 Sculpture

I was born in East Boston MA, USA. I received my BFA at the Massachusetts College of Art, Boston, Massachusetts in Art Education and Painting. My Masters degree and C.A.G.S degree's are from Bridgewater State College, (Fine Art, Ceramics). I have worked for over 30 years as an artist/teacher in many capacities, including: teaching art in the Brockton, Massachusetts Public Schools, graduate ceramics at Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, Massachusetts and 12 years of teaching drawing/painting at the Brockton Art Museum. I became involved in ceramics at Bridgewater in 1986. I have been working steadily in this medium since that time. Ceramics, especially Raku, is a combination of the skill the potter possesses and the random effects of the fire; it is the ultimate test of the clay and the artist. The art I create with this ancient technique is sculptural and based on the vessel form. Painting and printmaking are still an involvement. Recent work combines these and other media with clay and found objects. Influenced by Japanese and Native American ceramics, Ron Mello brings together clay, found objects and other materials for a personal aesthetic statement. His feelings about primitive techniques express the Zen ideal of surrendering oneself to the process and proclaim his reverence for nature and the basic elements of earth, air, fire and water. While his artistic roots are firmly planted in tradition, he still faces the challenges posed by materials and the possibility of chance effects. Quote "My current work represents a synthesis of 30 years experience in painting, sculpture and ceramics. Traditional artistic concepts, ancient forms and primitive ceramic techniques have inspired this work."My Web Site: http://www.ronmellostudio.com