Earth and Fire Pottery Debbie & Grahame Wales

About the Artists:

Grahame and Debbie Wales have been making functional and one-of-a-kind pottery for over 35 years. Moving to the beautiful Haliburton Highlands in 1976, they built their log home and studio overlooking Little Boshkung Lake. In 1990 they constructed a large outdoor reduction-fired kiln and their delightful hobby became a full time business adventure. Grahame, now known as “The Hairy Potter”, became the stay-at-home dad to their 2 young children, Jenn and Josh, while Debbie continued her career in education and contributed to the family business on weekends and in the summer. She joined Grahame to work  full time in 2003 and soon after, it became very apparent that their quaint little log studio and workshop needed more space. And so an addition was added to expand the work area and create a lovely new gallery.

About Their Art:

Grahame specializes in wheel thrown pieces and loves to do functional production work. He amazes visitors with his ability to throw large amounts of clay with alacrity, while regaling them with his humorous anecdotes. Debbie has branched off to create thrown and altered work, square and rectangular functional pieces and one-of-a-kind sculpted wall hangings that depict the beauty of the Haliburton Highlands.  Their daughter, Jenn has recently started to produce her own unique designs in clay, such things as earrings and pendants as well as interesting mosaic wall plaques.

Using both porcelain and stoneware clay to produce their pots, they fire with propane in a large reduction kiln yielding a wide variety of rich, luscious glazes in earth tones, jade-green celadon, blues, and a lustrous metallic, red iron-saturated glaze. Their functional pots which include among other things, dinner sets, tea pots, casseroles, mugs, butter dishes, goblets, bowls, lamps, serving dishes, ikebanas, pitchers, platters are meant to be used and enjoyed. All their pottery is lead-free, microwave and dishwasher safe.

The Wales’ are often asked what inspires them; the natural beauty of the Highlands, the sense of satisfaction in creating useful and functional pieces, the thrill and anticipation of each kiln opening, the quest for the next beautiful pot, and the realization that their best pots are yet to come.

Click any of the pictures below for a full description