About Samuel

We all have an origin story, mine begins in Western Pennsylvania and the rolling hills of Appalachia.  Growing up in a diminishing steel town, a blue collar work ethic with themes of practicality and community were core values that informed my childhood.  I was first introduced to clay as a business major at Penn State.  My studio ceramic classes always felt like the most natural way to spend my time in contrast to the business classes I was immersed in.  Working with my hands, making practical objects, and relying on my peers to problem solve felt natural.  In 2014, life brought me to Portland, Oregon and to this day working with clay, nurturing a studio practice, and building community resonates with the values that define my childhood.

 As a craftsman, I revel in the act of making.  Learning how to control clay leads to discovery which unfolds a narrative of creativity.  I draw inspiration from this narrative of creativity.  Learning how to capture the softness of clay, how to harness atmosphere to mark my ceramic wares, and the experience of using a well made functional object feeds my narrative of creativity.   If a photograph captures a memory.  A Suay Original captures the experience of creativity.  

My creative journey has allowed me to discover a growing repertoire of how to control clay.  I typically start by throwing forms with an eye for dynamic proportion.  These proportions are then accentuated by altering the form on the wheel or in a leather hard state.  Through creative discovery, I learn from mistakes by iteration which transforms a mistake into a gesture with the intent of capturing the magic of atmospheric firing.   

For me, the handmade objects that I create capture a deep sense of meaning.  Sharing these tokens of my experience with others is an expression of community building.  Community is built through shared experience and understanding.  Finding moments of pause and joy in exploring a hand crafted object that is meant for practical use creates a medium for conversation and mental reflection.  My hope is that by creating unique objects of beauty, I’ll create opportunities for meaningful connection and introspection through the daily activities that we all have in common.