Meet The Artist
My name is Clint Riley. I specialize in wheel thrown pottery that is sometimes altered. I alter my pottery because it gives each piece of work its own unique characteristics. The name of my studio is Six Toe Studio because my son, Kizer, was born with six toes on his left foot. We embraced this uniqueness- which encompasses the uniqueness of each of us as humans as well as each piece of pottery. No two pieces are exactly alike, each one has its own unique characteristics. Each piece is one of a kind.
Even though some pieces might be the same glaze color or relatively the same shape, they are all created one piece at a time with great care. I normally use a Lizella clay body from Lizella, Georgia because it has high iron content and reacts well with some of the glazes I have been using lately. The most common things that I make are utilitarian pottery that people can use in everyday living. Things like bowls, mugs, tumblers, and vases are just some of the things that I make. Sometimes I'll make frogs to incorporate in my pieces because some say that frogs are symbolic of prosperity to come. I can only hope that this old adage is true.
I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with an emphasis in ceramics in the fall of 2001 from the University of Tennessee at Martin. I went to graduate school for one year in Memphis, TN and have 27 graduate hours towards a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture. I have participated in many shows from the Cranberry Festival in Warrens, WI to the Crosstie Arts & Jazz Festival in Cleveland, MS and all in between. I have also taught many pottery classes for children as young as 6 years old to adults in their 60's. I taught on the college level in the spring of 2006 at UTM as an adjunct professor of art.
My studio is located on the grounds of Our Backyard Town Bed & Breakfast. You can also purchase my pottery in the B&B gift shop or you can special order pottery online @ sixtoestudio.com.
