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Ryan Whaley
Chisel + Light
"Existing should be easy, doing it with others makes it fun."
Ryan Whaley works from his Chicago studio creating pit-fired ceramic vessels. The unpredictability of his process, combined with his signature forms, results in eye-catching pieces that enhance any space.
Whaley uses burnished, wheel-thrown vessels in his pit firings, carefully layering combustible materials around the vessels for optimal results. The materials he collects are rich in iron, sodium, nitrogen, and calcium. Various hardwoods are stacked on top of the fragile ceramics, and as the fire burns, chemical reactions and airflow create unique colorants and patterns on the surface. This process results in one-of-a-kind finishes that mirror organic patterns found in nature.
Immersed in art from a young age, Whaley has a strong foundation in painting and drawing. In college, he pursued a degree in film photography and digital design. While studying in Dayton, Ohio, he discovered his passion for ceramics while working on a wheel. After moving to Sarasota, Florida, to complete his degree at Ringling College of Art and Design, he continued his ceramics studies as well. Since then, Ryan has studied under multiple mentors across the country, which has led him to teach workshops in his own artistic style.
Ryan Whaley works from his Chicago studio creating pit-fired ceramic vessels. The unpredictability of his process, combined with his signature forms, results in eye-catching pieces that enhance any space.
Whaley uses burnished, wheel-thrown vessels in his pit firings, carefully layering combustible materials around the vessels for optimal results. The materials he collects are rich in iron, sodium, nitrogen, and calcium. Various hardwoods are stacked on top of the fragile ceramics, and as the fire burns, chemical reactions and airflow create unique colorants and patterns on the surface. This process results in one-of-a-kind finishes that mirror organic patterns found in nature.
Immersed in art from a young age, Whaley has a strong foundation in painting and drawing. In college, he pursued a degree in film photography and digital design. While studying in Dayton, Ohio, he discovered his passion for ceramics while working on a wheel. After moving to Sarasota, Florida, to complete his degree at Ringling College of Art and Design, he continued his ceramics studies as well. Since then, Ryan has studied under multiple mentors across the country, which has led him to teach workshops in his own artistic style.
