Rooted in the Northwest from 2007, I learned from the riverbank, from the folk potter running a potter’s wheel off of his tractor. At Archie Bray my perspective grew with artists from Japan, Denmark, Miami, California. Sharing experiences, communicating, connecting on a deep level, art is a spiritual practice where I help people create beauty in themselves and their worlds. Deep time, geology, rocks inspire me! Human stories told in pottery also inspire me; seeing how traditions express cultural values in clay nourishes and my practice. Simple utilitarian form holds mystery and wonder; I show people all I sense is contained in pottery. When wood firing I blend clays, for subtle natural, dark, earthy hues. Forms for specific atmospheres achieve different character for different work. Building surface by layering, I encode information in symbols and ceramic language. I hold open studio at National Clay Week in October; am online at chrisbaskin.com and instagram @chrisbaskinpottery.