Benjamin Betourne

It was that first little bit of Sculpey clay, given to him by his artist mother, that set the trajectory of Ben Betourne’s life. He made little figures from the clay then...and some twenty-five years later, creates dynamic, unique pottery for homes and restaurants.

Ben’s first exposure to a successful, thriving pottery business was at Ceramicist Richard Carter’s studio on the Napa River in the mid 1990’s. He attended after school classes, when he was in the 4th grade.

“He had an amazing Warehouse studio; with a 40’ wood fired kiln (among others), 3-4 pottery wheels, and lots of tables for people to work.”

His next experience with clay was as a student at Vintage High School under the tutelage of teacher Mel Simpson. He learned how clay works...and then how to work the clay on a pottery wheel. For the majority of his high school career, Ben was found in Mr. Simpson’s classroom, working on the wheel or helping Mr. Simpson loading the kilns, preparing clay and mixing glazes for firing.

Ben further studied Ceramics at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo. There was a well established art department and ceramics studio there. Ben studied under Dave and Susan Wulfeck. He learned about advance firing techniques, decorating techniques and how to finish forms.

“They showed me how to refine my work and explore new shapes and spaces with clay. Dave also taught me how to make large scale works, by using multiple pieces of clay.”

When the recession of 2008 hit, Ben was forced to leave San Luis Obispo and return to Napa. He did not work in pottery for the next 8 years. It was Instagram posts by potters that galvanized Ben’s desire to return to pottery, and to dedicate himself to it. He thought as he looked at the work by other potters,

“ What am I doing working in a grocery store, when I could be one of these people on Instagram, showcasing my work. I am just as talented as they are.”

The best way to jump back in thought Ben, was through the local college; Napa Valley College. He enrolled and quickly caught up to speed. While there, the ceramics teacher Rhue Bruggeman, helped Ben with technique, efficiency and consistency. Ben realized that he needed to find a more permanent place to create and fire his work. That led to the Sonoma Community Center. Ben joined the center, and currently teaches Level I: Pottery on The Wheel classes.

Ben is adding the finishing touches to his own ceramic studio, built inside one corner of a garage. When it is finished, it will have space for his pottery wheel, a bisque kiln, storage and a place for sculpting. On Ben’s unique style and artistic expression, he states,

Basketweave: It was an evolution to get to where I am now; the markings that I do with pottery started when I began playing with decoration...and geometry. I like to have exposed holes in my vases. The idea that it takes the functionality out of something. I’ve been making functional stuff for so long, it was kind of cool to say, ‘no, I’m not going to make this a functional bowl.’ This was a mind exercise to take myself away from making purely functional things.

Texture: The grooving texture developed after I went back to pottery after my eight year hiatus. I had to relearn and push myself further. I struggled with the thickness of the clay; getting it thin enough but not to the point of cracking. I discovered some new tools for trimming...and that changed everything. I found a tool that drags across the surface of the pottery and leaves the tiniest grove texture. This led me to using tools for making textures on other things like mugs for the grip.

Colored, Marbleized: I watched other people doing clay marbling, and I began to try it. What I learned though was that regular clay (stoneware) has iron and other minerals in it, which leads to the colors in the fired products turning from bright colors into muddy, dark colors. I switched to using porcelain clay, which does not change color after firing, and it also has the benefit of being a stronger and lighter clay.

Ben welcomes commissions and is always interested in sharing the latest info about his current projects. You can contact him at his website: Betourne Ceramics or through his Instagram or Facebook pages.