John Davis

"I've lived all my life in the Chihuahuan Desert and am deeply inspired by its rugged terrain, subtle colors, and remarkable beauty. My work reflects the incredible hues of the mountain sunsets, the diverse vegetation, and the variability of this untamed region."

John Davis is widely known for his unique construction techniques. His inlaid vase process is labor-intensive, but the outcome is the feel of an heirloom that has been passed down through generations. Davis's virtuosity ranges from the elegant to the playful as he expresses himself through clay and harmonizes color, line, texture, and shading.

The inlaid vases are made from slabs he presses into molds he's made from actual flowers and leaves or has sculpted from an oil-based clay. The vases are hand formed, dried slowly, and then painted with colorful underglazes before firing for the first time. To give them an aged look, each vase is washed with a rich, dark stain, then painted and air brushed with delicate details before being fired again.

John Davis has a M.Ed. as well as a B.Ed from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. While still in high school, Davis launched his first pottery collection from a studio he created in an abandoned adobe home that had no running water or electricity. While in college, he purchased a 2,000 square foot building on a main street in town, where he moved his studio and opened a gallery.