Playing at Being an Artist or Being an Artisan

There is a difference between someone playing at being an artist and a true artisan. I say this because having viewed David Greenbaum’s art (pottery), I would have to put myself in the “playing at being an artist” column.

Let me explain; what was to be a simple photo shoot of the peek colors in the Pocono Mountains turned out to be a complete surprise. I would have never thought I would experience such a collaboration of art and artists as I found in the small town of Milford Pennsylvania. Of all the galleries visited, two stood out. They were the Blue Stone Gallery (Fine and Functional Art) and Highlands Photographic Guild and Fine Art Gallery. In both galleries, the talent displayed was superior to other galleries I’ve visited or seen on the web, especially the BlueStone Gallery. Even the placement of the art was done in a sophisticated and artistic manner. However, what was really impressive was David’s pottery.

For me, it was like going back 50 years ago and experiencing my then brother-in-law’s work, which he had created for the LA Art Center. Like David, he had burnished his work (spending hours and hours to create the exact look) instead of glazing the final art piece.

This burnishing process (polishing the unfired clay surface with a smooth stone) includes several firings to create the smooth surface and exact look the artist is trying to create (all which can destroy the piece) and only a true artisan (in my view) can accomplish this to the artistic quality, sensitivity, and creativity displayed in the pieces on display in the BlueStone Gallery.

All of David’s pieces provide the viewer with an emotional experience. For example, his three bells which are approximately 4 feet tall, when struck produce a deep unbelievable pure tone.

As David states, a glaze was used on the bells but the majority of his pieces use “the coloration that is created through multiple firings, including a “sagger” firing where the pieces are exposed to intense carbon in the kiln and a smoking or pit firing where grasses are burnt in contact with the clay surface to produce variegated colors”.

The bottom line is that until we can get the MFA in Boston or New York to display David’s work, I feel that if you are interested in viewing a true artisan’s work, you must visit the BlueStone Gallery, meet David, and see/touch this incredible work.

Milford Pennsylvania is approximately four hours from Boston just off Hwy 84 and three hours from New York.
You can view some of David’s art by checking out his website. http://www.greenbaumpottery.com
Email David at: dave@greenbaumpottery.com

Robert Gividen (aka pachëk) can be reached by email at:
pachek.fineart@yahoo.com and to view pachek’s art, go to:
http://www.pachek.com