Gary Lee Owen is a new member and attended this year's Annual Meeting back in February. When Karina Naumer, Membership Coordinator, asked who was from Los Lunas, his was the only hand to go up. It's great to hear about Gary's trajectory with clay and see his wares. 

FYI - Gary also has a YouTube channel called Wheel Thrown Pottery New Mexico.

How did you first get interested in clay?

My first experience using clay with a wheel was at the Kirtland Air Force Base hobby shop in 1978. It was an unplanned but enjoyable accident experience that introduced clay as an art or craft. I saw many wheels in a large room, and all were idle. My first bag of clay and a beginner tool kit were purchased from the hobby shop. Next, I made a big mess while trying to center and throw a pot. Right away, another person noticed I seriously needed some very basic pottery lessons and stepped up to share a few tips that helped me get started. Learning to center the clay was a challenge, but that magic moment of feeling the clay centered happened and captured my creativity with clay.

Soon after the initial hands on with the clay, I bought a wheel for the small balcony at my apartment. My neighbors on the floor below probably still recall my new potter's wheel with a thump on their ceiling every few minutes. I learned quickly and about 1982 Martin Butt mixed my first ton of clay. Finding the wheel and clay was an accidental encounter that changed a part of my life.

Gary on the wheel in 1978. Photo provided by artist.

Describe your studio.

My studio is nearly 500 Sq. Ft. and built to match my home with a southwestern style. It has the floor space required for all my pottery equipment with an adjacent concrete slab outside the shop.

My first wheel was a Pacifica purchased in 1978. I now have 3 Pacifica and 2 Lockerbie wheels. Other pottery equipment includes 2 electric kilns, lots of shelves, cabinets for glaze materials, barrels for dry clay materials, and an operational Walker pug mill. That Walker Pug mill has earned every buck it cost in 1982 at about $1600.

Three pots by Gary Lee Owens. Photos by the artist.

Describe your “work.”

My works are all thrown on an electric wheel, cleaned up and trimmed, stained, and relief carved on a Lockerbie Kick Wheel.

The thrown piece sizes have varied over the years, but now as a 74-year young potter, the thrown pieces have in general become a little smaller. The only exception to size would be for the large thrown mirror frames. The mirror frames are thrown like a dish with an outside diameter of about 27.5”. The mirror frames are a mess to throw, but my favorite pieces to finish with the relief carving.

Mirror frame by Gary Lee Owens. Photo by the artist. 

The backside of the thrown mirror frame. Photo by the artist. 

When you are not working in your studio, what do you enjoy?

I still enjoy working outside in the yard and my vice with dirt bikes.

Do you play music in your studio? If yes, what do you listen to?

I listen to a variety of music, but often listen to 70’s and 80’s rock music.

Array of Gary's works. Photo by the artist. 

What other pottery do you have in your home?

I have a few other pieces collected at auctions, but favor one large thrown jug. 

What caused you to join NMPCA? Describe involvement with NMPCA, and how many years you have been involved.

I have heard about the read about the group for a few years, in general they appeared to good people with compassion for their work, creativity, and other people.

Photo of the artist - Gary Lee Owens - with relief carving still at the greenware stage.