Marengo County
Pottery
Clay Cain cannot remember a time when he was not drawing or
painting. His mother recognized Clay’s talent and supplied her son with the
materials and lessons needed to foster this “God-given talent”. He was first
introduced to the art of pottery making in the seventh grade, but it was years
later before he acquired the tools necessary for creating his own work. Clay
studied art at the University of West Alabama and is currently enrolled at
Beeson Divinity School at Samford University.
Clay’s fascination with
ancient artifacts influences his designs and colors to create pottery that is
both utilitarian and aesthetically pleasing. His pottery is designed to be
useful, much as historical pottery had a purpose and meaning. In his home
studio, Clay creates both hand and wheel thrown pottery and sometimes uses an
extruder to create coils of clay for structure and decoration. He mixes his own
glazes, preferring to use odd combinations to achieve natural earth tones
(fireplace ashes are used for shades of off-white to blue).
Clay’s work is also available at craft shows, at Bluff
Hall in Demopolis, and at the Rural Heritage Center in Thomaston.