Meet the Artists

John Rubesha

I was attracted to art history as a teenager and, as an adult, painted a very occasional oil. I was in my 50s when my wife, Kathy, asked me to join her in a 5-evening pottery class and I was hooked! The next day we signed up at Palomar College and spent the next 10 years honing our skills (and using their equipment ‘til we bought our own). Thirty-three years and thousands of pots later I am still enchanted with the process, the magic, of this ancient art, but I can’t make the big ones any more.

Kathy Rubesha

Kathy Rubesha has been a clay person for over thirty years. She began making porcelain jewelry in 1998, and had a thriving porcelain jewelry business in Los Angeles. Starting with pure white porcelain clay, earth elements are added—these can be cobalt, chromium, zirconium, titanium, rutile, and red iron oxide, or other specially formulated colorants for rich yellows, browns and oranges and reds. Then, using ancient Japanese techniques, the clay is then combined in a way that results in “stones” that rival the incredible beauty of what Mother Earth has produced. Once a combination of these various colors is constructed and the beads are made—all by hand—they are then fired to 2380° F.

Jayne Furman

Jane Furman

I began making jewelry back in the 80′s. I started stringing beads, which evolved into making polymer clay beads, next I discovered seed beads. Then one day, I met a lady (and now dear friend) that invited me to a metal jewelry workshop. That was about 5 or 6 years ago. My life changed that day and have had a hammer in my hand ever since. I fell in love with moving metal, torching and texturing my way to organic feeling art jewelry. I have taken many classes and workshops with wonderful teachers. Connie Fox is my favorite, and has taught me so much. I hope you enjoy my art form as much as I enjoy creating it.

Julie Brooke

Julie Brooke, the “Scottish Potter”, has been making a living out of clay for nearly three decades, and she has been a specialist in the demanding discipline of crystalline glazed porcelain for more than 10 years. While Julie has been known to hyperventilate while unloading crystal pots from her electric kiln, she derives equal parts pleasure from spying blood red reduction glazes as she cracks the door on her propane kiln. She is also known for her brushwork with glazes. Brooke had a solo show of crystalline-glazed porcelain at the MOA gallery in the Melrose district of Los Angeles.

Pierre Bounaud

I am a French ceramic artist living in San Diego, CA. I have been exploring ceramics since 2004, pushing the limits of the form and the function of ceramic vessels to reinvent the daily items surrounding us. From the Japanese Raku technique to modern glazes in electric firing, I have been continuously developing a personal palette of colors to complement the new forms and designs in my work. Currently, my work alternates between highly decorative Raku- , Saggar-, or pit-fired pieces, and uniquely designed functional porcelain wares.

Petey Dietz

Petey has been collecting beads and making beaded jewelry since the 1960’s. Her jewelry reflects her love of bright colors, mixed textures, and the juxtaposition of old and new materials. Her most recent jewelry designs include mixing vintage and new plastic beads and buttons with an eclectic collection of glass beads. The connectors are either sterling silver or hand-made bead and button toggles.