In Sonoma Valley, the rolling hills of home are marked by the wending ways of water - stretches of time embedding the flesh of the land, seen through cracks in the horizon. In firing kilns with wood for days on end, layers of ash arrive on the shoulders of jars as snow and rain blanket rocky ground. In places eddied by flame, ash melts and runs, carrying clay downhill, cutting through storied matter which was wound upwards on a potter's wheel - forsaking control for ever reverent collaboration between human form and vital earth. With trust and mindful intent, these parts align to reflect what is greater than self which carries us all. Those with curious eyes will see this thread continue wherever they wander, and I hope to share the joyful light of wonder found in following it.
Riley Sean McGee was born and raised in Sonoma, California. Many of his formative experiences were found in exploring both the gentle hills and valleys of home and the intensely rugged wilderness of the West. Riley's family valued travel, and he has continued wandering, finding quiet corners and the potters often in them, from gold rush tailings in the Sierra foothills, and as far from home as Al Faiyum, Avanos, and Ulaanbaatar. He followed a self directed path in education, eventually studying wood fired ceramics with Marc Lancet, working in ceramic supply, and establishing a studio. He has worked with Scott Parrady, Dick Hotchkiss, Mitch Iburg, Jody Johnstone, Jeff Shapiro, Jack Troy, Trevor Youngberg, Harry and Meredith Kunhardt, John Jessiman, Catherine White, Warren Frederick, and Rob Barnard.
Everywhere he goes, beautiful nuances abide, and the subtleties of the natural world inspire him to work with local materials towards a sincere exposition of interbeing in humanity, mineral, and flame. Riley recently left Mongolia for the Eastern Seaboard, where he farms, pots, and bakes between Virginia and Maine.
Contact
Mail
rileyseanmcgee@gmail.com