Artist Spotlight: Tony Young

About Tony

"My name is Tony Young. I’m a High School Ceramics teacher in Ohio. I’ve been teaching for 20 years now and absolutely love my job. I always tell people my journey in ceramics truly didn’t start until college. I worked with clay one time in middle school. Never in High School. Then went to Bowling Green State University. I immediately went from a Drawing or Painting 2D artist to a 3D clay nerd. I love clay. I don’t know what it was, but the physicalness of it, the energy of the ceramic room, the history, all of it combined hooked me for life. I wasn’t very good at clay in college, but I knew it was always going to be a part of my life if I could find a way to make and fire. And here we are…. 25 years later still going!"

TONY'S INSTAGRAM | RIOT_TRANSFERS

Q: What inspires your work or keeps you excited in the studio? 

A: "I think I’ve stayed fresh in the studio for a long time by switching it up constantly. One thing that really inspired me to veer down different paths was collaborating with other artists. I reached out to Nathan Bray, and he became my first collaboration partner back in 2018 or 2019? It was amazing to work on a new form. A new challenge. It pushed my work to new levels. Holding someone else’s bisqueware and realizing “wow I need to get better” was eye opening. Then “How do I make these pieces special” because for me a collaboration can’t just be my work on their form. It needs to be UNIQUE & SPECIAL. It needs to have elements of my graffiti style but also let the other artists work shine through as well. In the end, I just love making. Traveling, experiences, and of course Instagram inspire me all the time. Seeing what others are doing in the world always lights a fire to make more"

Q: What is your favorite AMACO product and why?

A: "I use literally all AMACO Glazes. I won’t lie I’ve been approached by some other companies and as much as I love free stuff, I have a hard time accepting glazes when I just know AMACO’s is the best! I use their underglaze exclusively. I know how every one of them works, applies, fires, and maybe it’s as much comfort as it is quality, but I definitely would say any of the Underglazes!"

Q: Any advice you'd give to someone just starting out with clay?

A: "You have to get your hours in! They say 10,000? I felt my work was getting pretty good around 2020, but then something clicked. I often hear people say “oh that takes so much time” for whatever part of the process. That’s what you have to do to make great work though! You have to invest your time. Spend 4 hours carving a piece someday. ONE PIECE. Spend time testing glazes, trying new techniques, and just push yourself to make better, cleaner, lighter, more exciting work! "

Follow Tony's Work!

TONY'S INSTAGRAM | RIOT_TRANSFERS