Collection: John Tobin

My work is mostly figurative, whimsical and sometimes political. Subject matter can include historical artifacts or today’s news as Inspiration. I am fascinated with faces and am an avid people watcher. Clay is my primary medium with the addition of found or repurposed objects when desired. After I have finished making a piece it is left to dry, it must be bone dry prior to going in the kiln or it will explode due to the expansion of water vapor. The first firing (bisque) afterwards under glaze (color) is applied with a subsequent firing. If a shiny surface is desired then a clear glaze is applied prior to the second firing. I use a variety of what is known as hand building techniques in my clay sculptures; slabs, pinch pots and oriental coiling for larger pieces.

Education

• Discovered modeling Clay in 3th Grade at Bainbridge Elementary School, Maryland
• AA Degree from Allan Hancock College Santa Maria California
• BFA Old Dominion University, Norfolk Virginia
• MA Curriculum and Teaching from Michigan State University