Gordon Harrison

Art and crafts have been my lifelong avocation--cabinet making, woodturning, blacksmithing, jewelry making, and calligraphy.  These endeavors have been for my own pleasure, and many of my skills are self-taught.   I have occasionally sold woodwork through galleries in Seattle and Anchorage.  I have exhibited work of various media in juried shows, and I have contributed articles to national craft magazines.  Recently I have concentrated on working with clay.   I developed my own technique for transferring images to clay surfaces, and I have enjoyed hand building playful “folk art” fish, serving dishes, and tiles.  These pieces celebrate the rich marine life of southeast Alaska, especially species such as sculpin and rockfish that seldom get their artistic due.   I also enjoy lettering on ceramics.  All of my work is stoneware fired to cone 5 (approximately 2200 degrees F) and the serving dishes are safe for food and OK in the dishwasher. 

I moved permanently to Alaska from California in 1969, and I have lived in Juneau since 1981. I am retired from a career of social science research, consulting, and government service.  My shop and studio are in my home on the hillside above the harbor. 

 Artist’s Statement – Revision 3 of 12-13-06