Tony Russomanno
San Tan Valley, Arizona
Email: trussxx@verizon.net
Artist Statement
The artist’s dreams are full of creativity the Innovator, integrator, indispensable sculptor artist inspiring moments stretched the imagination vacuum playing in the minds of the observer. Art is special, magic where images become joy forgotten in the history of life. Where Art fills the hearts and minds in every moment. This is the cost of admission to the scene desire, call it art but what isn't art, every image we see is art. Pick up the pieces and look; life is a folly of moments strung together from beginning to end embracing death in the end but is it the end or the beginning? Imagine every experience, every moment filled with creativity, thought tinkering with your surroundings mining the depth of your soul. My creativity comes from the soul’s thoughts turning into reality, images that satisfy curiosity are born in ceramics, painting sculpture. poetry, music I enjoy them all.
Studio Description
I work at two studios: Santorini Art Studio is a small community of potters with four wheels, one small kiln, and shop glazes; Mesa Art Center is a large studio with all the features and tools of a professional ceramic artist imaginable including two walk-in kills, several large oval kilns, and a raku kiln.
What type of clay do you use?
Laguna Clay B-mix cone 6 and cone 10, Speckle Buff, and porcelain clay
What temperature do you fire to?
Cone 6 and 10
What is your primary forming method?
Handbuilding, wheel throwing, and slip casting
What is your favorite surface treatment?
Surface decoration created by pounding the surface with different-shaped objects, or carving lines and inlays, applying thick slip, and using cracked and dry clay to form edges.
What one word would you use to describe your work?
Extraordinary
What is the one thing in your studio you can’t live without?
The community of artists where I can share the experience of creativity.
What are your top three studio wishes?
1. I wish I had my own studio. 2. More time to spend on ceramics. 3. Sell some of my work.
What’s on your current reading list?
Throwing & Handbuilding: Forming Techniques by Anderson Turner
How do you save money on materials and supplies?
Reconstitute my clay and keep glaze jar lids clean and snug.
How do you recharge creatively?
My mind’s eye sees art forms everywhere, from the bending of a branch to the moving shape of a wave crashing on the rocky shore.
What challenges have you given yourself to overcome?
The ability to throw large objects on the wheel.
What did your first piece look like?
A curved, four-sided box with three-footed bottom
What ceramic superpower would you have and why?
The ability to form my ideas in clay.
What area of skill do you most look to other artists to learn?
Wheel throwing
Who is your ceramic art mentor and why?
Jesse Armstrong, master ceramic instructor, artist in residence, and studio manager in the ceramics department at Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, Arizona. I’m impressed with his teaching ability and his expertise on the wheel.
Why do you create art?
I find during the creative process an escape where time, sound, and outside influence disappear.
Who is your favorite artist and what do you admire about that artist?
Otto Heino. I am impressed with the raw surface colors he created. And Kimiyo Mishima with her subtle forms and shapes that make bold statements.
What is your best studio tip?
Sometimes you have to let the clay show you what it wants to become.
If you could change one property of clay, what would it be?
Water retention in the drying process to prevent minor cracking.
