San Juan Pottery - Noel Bailey

Noel Bailey

Noel Bailey fell in love with clay at an early age. He continued to pursue his love of mud and fire as many opportunities opened that would enable him to further his education in the art and craft of ceramics. Noel gained experience in the business side of ceramics working full-time with a local potter. He also spent four summers working, learning, and exploring at Laloba Ranch Art Center in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He attended the University of Northern Colorado and received a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education. Currently Noel resides in his hometown of Montrose, Colorado, making art, teaching kids, doing carpentry, and playing in the surrounding mountains and deserts.
Noel’s finely crafted pieces integrate elements of function and sculpture. He finds much inspiration and awe in the vulnerability of the desert landscape and how it changes as a result of wind and water. Erosion easily carves away years of history into the soft sedimentary rocks. The remains reveal a story of the how the land was formed and fossils give evidence of the creatures that existed there. The erosive elements then sculpt exposed rock into soft, fluid, and graceful forms. Noel pulls these elements into his work using line, form, and repetition.
The pieces are created using a combination of porcelain and stoneware. Slips are often utilized to add texture and depth. Noel applies his glazes with the use of a sprayer. As many as six different glazes are layered onto his pieces to create subtle gradients of color and texture. They are then high-fired in a gas-reduction kiln. The resulting pieces are highly refined and they express Noel’s love for life and the medium of ceramics.
To see more of Noel's work click on the photos.

blue to green ash glaze

Brown Ash Glaze

Vases

San Juan Pottery

001253

Calendar

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San Juan Pottery^®
445 Main Street
Ouray, Colorado 81427

send email to San Juan Pottery
(970) 325-0270

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