by Bella Erakko
Every evening, after twelve hours dealing with food distribution for a grocery chain, Ron Cook heads to his 1800 square foot “Potter’s Cave” complete with mini-frig, TV, and of course, clay. Lots of clay. Here he unwinds by working on his potter’s wheel, glazing, or simply studying possibilities.
His creativity is closely tied to his curiosity. “There is such a mix of different shapes and techniques, I just cannot settle into one thing,” he admits. He walks into his studio thinking, “I will be working on this idea,” but then he adds, “I’ll roll out the clay and go in a different direction.”
He has completely decoupled creativity from potential sales. “I do not have to make anything for retail.” He believes that creativity is about not being boxed in. “If you’re focused on sales, then you have to live within guidelines or techniques. You do not let yourself do this or that—a lot of people think there is only one way to go for sales and that hurts creativity.”
Ron admits some pieces will never be saleable. “Creativity does not mean what is created is acceptable to everybody.”
Since a bout with illness that sidelined him for over a year, he has widened his perspective, introducing many new forms into his pottery, mixing and melding two or more different techniques, adding patterns, introducing new glazes. Visitors to the Gallery will see a prolific outpouring of creativity. Ron Cook is definitely NOT boxed in.