PotteryDavid Porras
” I simply enjoy making things from clay. When someone likes my work, there is no dispute and gratification rules the day.”
David’s passion for making pots began in the 1970s while studying under Robert Karlinsey at Loyola University, and then with Neil Moss at El Camino College. He honed his throwing skills while working as a production potter at factories in Carson and Santa Monica, California. David then opened his own studio in Playa Del Rey and sold his functional stoneware in the front Gallery, while making and firing, in the back studio.
Many potters and ceramic artists have influenced him along the way. But his primary mentor and generous friend is Artist and Potter, Tom Coleman. Tom is a trained fine artist and ceramicist, who has taught at the University level and is known for his Cone 10 reduction firing and glazes on porcelain. He has authored books and still does workshops.
For David, over fifty years of making functional pottery has never gotten old. He works in porcelain and stoneware, mostly on the wheel but also does some slab work. He is still fascinated by the clay and its ability and by the work of his hand to become any shape he imagines.
The interaction of the glaze chemicals and the various firing processes offer endless possibilities.
This is David’s 20th year of having the challenge and goal of providing good handmade pottery for this grand show.
THE WOODFIRE COLLECTION
Woodfiring is a method of producing pottery by burning wood to heat a kiln instead of using gas or electricity. In May 2026, David attended a wood fire workshop in North Carolina at the Finch Farm. Under the direction of Chris Gustin and Ben Owen III, he joined a community of 21 potters from around the country, whocontributed their ceramic work and labor to fill an Anagama kiln (50’long, X 8’ wide, X 7’ high), with approximately 1500 pots. It took 4 days to load, 5 days to fire and 6 days to cool.
All pieces displayed this year were thrown at his home studio in Yucaipa, shipped to North Carolina and back. It was a privilege to work with so many talented and dedicated artisans under the direction of Master Woodfire Potter- Artists, Chris Gustin and Ben Owen III. The exquisite surfaces are a testament to the experience and expertise of Chris and Ben, who orchestrated the loading and timing of each stoking of the fire boxes. The camaraderie of working together, sharing history, education, and acquired skills produced these one-of-a-kind results.
Woodfiring is a high-risk proposition.A tremendous amount of time and expertise is necessary.The successful wood fired piece is a gem tobehold-likeapearlinanoyster.Forapotter,itisatreasureworthy of the quest.
