Hi, my name is Travis Sudweeks, and I make Rose Line Pottery.

It’s said that pottery is the second oldest profession, right after you know what…? Ever since I was a fourteen year old boy, I’ve felt this ancient history with clay pulling at me, telling me what to do, but for the longest time I wouldn’t listen, there was to much doubt, to many naysayers, and I didn’t believe you could be a studio production potter. It took me until I was 39 years old to give it a full-time go, not until I was sick of every other job that I did somewhat poorly.

I make all of my pottery by hand, on the pottery wheel. I believe it connects me with other potters in the past and to this ancient tradition. In this day and age of mass produced, slip cast, pottery, I feel that I have to continue on this path of handmade production potter. So far, and somehow, mainly with the help of my customers, friends and family, I’m able to make a full-time living. In my studio I’ve got two wheels, one for each color of clay I throw, and two kilns, one mainly for bisque firing and the other glaze firing.

It’s taken me thousands of pots to slightly understand clay, and be able to make forms quickly and uniformly, sometimes not uniformly enough for my taste. It’s amazing to me how much sacrifice and love it takes to make a nicely balanced set of dishes, or a twenty five inch tall vase, or a snugly fit lidded jar or oil bottle.

I am constantly humbled by this art, this craft, and I am thankful to have found it and for it to be part of who I am.

Currently, I make pottery in my converted Salt Lake City garage studio. There are no windows, no sink, and kinda cold in winter. I don’t know how long I will be in this space. If it were up to me I would find a nice small Ireland village and become their village potter, but it’s not up to me, and I will go as the fates allow.

I am very thankful to all the customers and friends I’ve made through pottery and markets, especially the other local Salt Lake makers.

Cheers,

Travis