Jim Franco: Ceramics

Ceramics by Jim FrancoSome say that creativity is a universal and flexible gift - a truly creative person can juggle disciplines, smoothly transforming from a stylist, to designer, to artist. This rule may not be true for all, but for a New York based artist Jim Franco it certainly is. Being primarily a photographer, Jim has a sharp eye for light and composition that he also utilizes when working with ceramic. "I make bowls both for the feel of the piece but always for how it might be photographed and how it might sit alone by itself. My years in photography have informed my ceramic work in a fruitful way," says Jim. When Jim is not at his pottery studio working with clay, he's at the photo studio working with images for various editorial and commercial clients. Jim Franco's ceramics are known for their versatility, elegance and graceful organic lines. He makes mostly bowls in all sizes and different colors. A self-taught potter, Jim creates porcelain and stoneware functional pieces with an unfettered design aesthetic and painterly glazes."I grew up in suburban New Jersey and the world of pottery and clay and glazes and kilns was unknown to me. A beautiful handmade bowl or cupor plate seemed mysterious and intriguing and otherworldly. Today I feel privileged to craft handmade objects from the simple material of clay." Words: Jim Franco, Thisispaper Photography: Courtesy of Jim Franco