Steve Hum

Although a relative newcomer to the Santa Cruz ceramics community, Steve Hum has been perfecting his skills as a ceramist for nearly 15 years, and is clearly a master of his craft. Steve creates solid and functional stoneware in his garage studio in Bonny Doon. The majority of his work consists of shallow platters and bowls in a wide range of sizes and depths. He also creates vases, cups, urns, and an assortment of other forms. Each peace is unique, and most are stunningly beautiful. Steve discovered his love of ceramics while attending University of Santa Cruz, and further developed his skills while working toward a master's degree at San Jose State University.

Steve's work is particularly striking in its use of vibrant and varied glazes. His palette is inspired by the colors and patterns found in nature in the surrounding area. Deep ocean blues, and mossy, arboreal browns and greens splash vigorously across his works. A long standing interest in painting has resulted in Steve including painterly techniques in his ceramic work. Even so, he makes no attempt to create anything illustrative or representational. His surfaces are abstract studies in color, texture, and organic patterns created during the process of applying glazes and firing the work.

His glazes are multi-layered and highly textural; some with bumpy layers similar to layers of gesso or oil paint on canvas, and some with pitted surfaces and visually pleasing random patterns similar to those created by aquatint or monoprint printing techniques. The surfaces are sensual, pleasing to the eye, and to the touch. By allowing glazes to run and drip, and through the painterly application of multiple layers of glaze, Steve creates a thrilling variety of organic patterns that varies substantially from piece to piece. In addition to doing his own work, Steve teaches Ceramics at Fisher Middle School in Los Gatos, is raising two children, and works in collaboration with other Santa Cruz ceramic artists. Nonetheless he still finds time to produce two to three hundred original works a year.

Steve concentrates a great deal of his energy on perfecting his glazes, and is constantly testing new colors, chemicals, and glazing techniques. Through years of experimentation, he has built a sophisticated and personal palette of formulas that is continually evolving. As a result, his work varies considerably from year to year, as can be seen in the earlier piece shown above.

Steve fires his work in a hand made kiln in a modest outbuilding tucked efficiently at the head of the driveway in a corner of his cozy, tree studded backyard. The structure functions as an open-air studio space, firing area, and storage space. During the show the Hums took advantage of the kiln's brick interior to show off completed work.

At Open Studios 99 Steve's offering of works for sale was prolific. In addition to several large display tables, most every available flat surface in the yard was packed with lustrous ceramics sparkling in the sun.

Prices on his works are very reasonable, and overall his studio is a "must see" for the Open Studios visitor with an interest in ceramics.

Works by Steve Hum can be purchased in Los Gatos at the Elemental Arts Gallery.

www.elemental-arts.com