When in doubt, Blue

Julia Crandall

My upcoming show of the Clear Sky series of porcelain pottery is titled, “When in doubt, Blue.” It is dedicated to my first and only pottery boss, Julia Crandall who gave me my first chance as a professional potter in Orcas Island. I was still a student at University of Puget Sound, and I was eager to prove my skill sets in the professional pottery world. It was the summer of 1983. She was in her 90’s.

I still remember her voice. A high pitched note with a soft overtone. She would always say to me, “Bryan… you need to make more blue pots. When in doubt, Blue.” That was her motto. Back in those days, I hated blue or at least on pots. The blue glazes were just not appealing to me, too gaudy so to speak. So I would reluctantly sprinkle in blue pieces here and there to please her.

I was fortunate to work with someone a few generations ahead of me. They saw the world differently. She grew up during the depression where there was this vitality that kept her mind fresh, and she wasn’t afraid to have a 20 year old working for her. She had this soft way of managing myself and the other potter who worked alongside. You knew if you were doing things right, because at 4pm, she would bring out tea and oatmeal cookies she baked. On occasion if she wasn’t please with your work, you wouldn’t get tea that day. It was that simple. And guess what. After a few weeks of getting this delight late in the afternoon, you really miss it when you don’t. Boy was she a force. Her pottery studio was one of the first in the northwest, and she championed it all the way. It is still quite active and flourishing. They are now on the 4th generation of family potters working there.

Julia, this is for you. Cheers!

Circa mid 1980’s, at Orcas Island pottery, Eastsound, WA

From the Clear Sky series, hand thrown porcelain mug with clear sky and silk white glaze, 2021