Crimson Laurel Gallery

Michael and Naomi live and work in the mountains of western North Carolina. Using many local materials, they collaborate in making wood fired utilitarian pottery. Although they make and glaze the pottery together, individually, Naomi makes the figurative sculptures, while Michael produces the large jars.

Michael got hooked on clay in high school and became a student at Penland School of Craft shortly after graduating. It was there that Michael met Will Ruggles and Douglas Rankin, who became teachers and mentors to him. Several years later, he was invited to go to Korea to learn the traditional method of making large Ongii storage jars with master Ongii potter Oh Hyang Jong. Upon returning from Korea, Michael began setting up a studio and building a large Thai-shaped wood kiln in the Penland area.