Shawn McGuire originally studied Visual Communication at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and Arts Illustration at Cazenovia College. He then worked as a commercial illustrator for five years before he found clay in 2000. Exploring his 50 acres of beautiful gorge land in Cazenovia, formerly the Bingley Park, he found a natural deposit of clay along the Chittenango Creek. It was love at first site, and from then on clay was Shawn's artistic medium of choice. He bought a wheel and kiln, taught himself how to throw and fire, and dove in full-time. Working at Clayscapes in Syracuse, he has gained a wealth of technical knowledge of ceramics in general and has taught wheel throwing there.
Shawn's work is primarily wheel-thrown. His firing processes vary greatly - he continually experiments and improves upon the many ways in which green clay can be fired and turned into eternally beautiful objects. His work gravitates towards low-fire decorative ware and wood-fired functional stoneware. He is especially drawn to Anagama, which translates roughly from the Japanese as "cave kiln." This process involves a three day firing, in which natural ash accumulation creates striking effects on the surface of the finished piece. He works in both glazed and 'naked' Raku. The glazed version gives off iridescent colorful effects, whereas naked Raku involves coating the clay with Terra Sigillata, a very fine particled slip that results in a distinctly refined surface. It is also receptive to various atmospheric influences that cause varied and organic surface patterns.
Four years ago, Shawn and two other local potters built a large 'cave' of a walk-in kiln, measuring six feet high, four feet wide, and eight feet deep – it holds up to 600 pots at a time, and sits alongside the Chittenango creek on his property.
Shawn lives in Cazenovia with his partner Hank and their three (at latest count...) dogs, Brody, Murph, and Rags.
