MEET OUR MAKER ERIC BONNIN
Potter Eric Bonnin has returned to the studio and we couldn’t be happier. We love Eric’s hand-thrown stoneware KAM pitchers in eggshell (the exaggerated loop handle makes it easy to hold for a smooth pour), and we’re delighted to announce that his best-selling zoomorphic Bird Vases in black are now back in stock. But the BIG NEWS is that Eric has made us a beautiful small batch of his stoneware Bird vases in matte-white. Get them before they fly out of the store. And learn why Eric loves being in the mud in our interview below.
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ABOUT ERIC BONNIN CERAMICS
Inspired by the French Decorative Arts movement and the artists and craftsmen working in Vallauris, France during the post-war period, Eric Bonnin has been working in clay since he moved to New York City from Paris in 1994. Eric’s ceramics combine functionality with simple decorative elements and motifs. Each item is signed with the maker’s mark and the city of origin.
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We caught up with Eric at his studio in Long Island City.

So here we are in July. How has life changed for you?

After being away for almost two months I’m back to my studio in Long Island City. I commute from my house on the Lower east side by bike. I enjoy being outside and the city is easy to travel through at this time, even if it’s a weird sight to see it empty. It doesn't look right.

What’s your biggest challenge as a maker?

​Having decided early on to be a production potter one of my every day challenges is to hand-throw pieces from my collections over and over and keep these looking the same as the first ones I made. I keep records of clay weights, dimensions, and techniques to maintain consistency but also accept that I can't control every aspect of the process, like clay moisture, placement in kilns, chemicals in the glaze recipes, and mood of the day.

How are you staying strong and resilient?

Clay makes you resilient. When things go wrong you have to move on and accept and adapt easily. And things go wrong often. As I said, you can’t control everything.

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What keeps you calm, balanced, and grounded?

Being able to do what I love puts everything in perspective,and since being a potter is a physical activity it helps my body and my mind to stay balanced.

Where do you find moments of joy? What nourishes you creatively?

Joy can be anywhere for me from stopping for 5 minutes and looking at the sky to taking a walk to a virtual visit to a museum or the park.

What are you grateful for? Any special silver lining?

​The list would be too long but mainly at this time is being healthy, having a close family, good friends, and still be able to have my hand in the mud every day.