Scott Maynard

Artist Statement

Mud on the floor is frustrating, and mud on a shoe can ruin a good day. Yet this humble material, in the hands of a potter, can become a vessel of both ordinary and noble purpose. I am endlessly inspired by clay’s transformation—from raw earth to usable beauty—and by the journey it must endure to get there. The process is simple but perilous: shape, trim, fire, glaze, fire again. Each stage carries risk. In the kiln, clay glows orange like lava, enduring extreme heat, shrinkage, and sometimes failure. After the first firing it is strong, but incomplete. Glazing introduces mystery, where fire becomes a collaborator rather than a tool. Opening the cooled kiln reveals forms that have survived great stress, standing quietly, ready to bring beauty into everyday life.