Michael Morier

In 1970, Michael found himself living in a sort of communal living in sort of communal living situation with about eight other people who were artists or entertainers. Included in the group were Lacy J. Dalton the Country & Western singer and Cheech Marin the comedian. Strangely enough it was Cheech Marin, an accomplished potter, who introduced Michael to wheel thrown pottery. In the fall of 1970 at the age of 32, Michael enrolled in an introductory course in ceramics a Michigan State University. The next five years were devoted to studying ceramics ant MSU under the tutelage of Louis Raynor. In 1978 Michael moved to New Mexico with the hope of finding greater inspiration and artistic stimulation. While teaching at an Indian Reservation, the artist began studying the burnished black pottery of the Southwest Pueblo Indians. After years of experimentation he finally arrived at his present plateau. Michael’s burnished earthenware borrows some of the techniques from the Pueblo and combines them with some of his own innovations. The pots are wheel thrown, burnished, and then decorated with various combustible materials while the work is still red hot. The result is a beautiful satin smooth marble like appearance.