Marking Time
From the early times man has recorded his environment on the objects used in his daily life. the decoration of pottery has been an easy way to record these images. The ability of clay to accept a scratched line or a pressed mark has not changed. This quality enables me to reflect my environment as easily as the primitive potter reflected his. The tools I use to make my marks in clay still include the pointed stick, and the pressed texture; but the texturing tools are more of the twentieth century: milled pieces of wood, scraps of waste plastic and metal, impressions of bicycle tires and the soles of tennis shoes. The pieces are still vessels of a functional nature. I have intentionally left the interior surfaces unglazed to reflect the character of stone or worn painted wood. My job is not to evaluate or tell you what to see in these pieces. My job is to make the pieces. In doing so, I have continued the potters tradition of "marking his own time".
“The greatness of art is not to find what is common but what is unique”
Bob Andersen, BFA University of Northern Iowa and Connie Andersen have been creating unique handmade functional ceramic pottery for almost five decades. The creative energy is nonstop in that they are always looking for ways to incorporate new trends and nature into their pieces. Bob is the maker of the pottery and Connie is the co-designer and takes care of the business end of the company. Bob and Connie appreciate well made crafts and it shows in their Organic, Regional, Terra Cotta, Pinecone, Garden and Arts & Crafts collections. Sunflower Pottery has gained prestigious recognition and clients since their beginnings in the mid seventies and they continue to be professional craftsmen and artisans who attend every show with a professional attitude.
Arts & Crafts Collection
Inspired by the writings of John Ruskin, the Arts & Crafts movement reached its height between approximately 1880 and 1910. This collection celebrates the works of influential Arts & Crafts practitioners including William Morris, Charles Robert Ashbee, Frank Lloyd Wright, Charles Rennie Macintosh and Gustav Stickley. In rich jewel-tone hues of blues, greens, oranges and browns, the highly collectible pieces include cups and bowls, plates and platters, vases and wine chillers, goblets, birdhouses and custom items
Organic Collection
Even if you don't have a cabin in the Northwoods, this collection will make you happy just to stay at home and enjoy an evening with friends, good food, and a fire. Wonderful hues of dark browns and greens are perfect complements for the pinecone motif that characterizes this line of functional dinner ware. If you do have a cabin in the Northwoods, it's really not complete without place settings, bowls, mugs, pitchers, or wine coolers from the Pinecone Collection.
Regional Collection
Function with a bit of whimsy in a solid, salt-glazed look is the hallmark of this extensive line of products. While the origins of this look derive from traditional patterns basic to the Midwestern kitchen and dining table, these pieces are designed to bring pleasure to our ordinary rituals of eating and drinking. Where else can you discover a pig with wings (a pigasus?) or a holy cow or even a tea pot shaped like a familiar blue silo with a corncob pouring spout? This extensive line includes mugs, saucers, plates, bowls, platters, serving and baking dishes of all kinds in a wide range of sizes. Their salt-glazed functional look, festooned with the flora and fauna of the Midwest, images of nature, farm animals (some familiar and some unfamiliar) will bring a smile to your lips.