Name The Current Top 3 American Potters

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

As most of you know, the great Ron Lang retired earlier this year.

For me, he was one our very best American potters. Along with Sara Rayner & Roy Minari, Ron Lang made up the Top 3.

Now that he has retired, who takes his place?

Name your top 3 current (still making pots) American Potters.

 

[sorce]

I'm going Raynor, Iker, and Miller.

It's a RIM Job.

Sorce

 

[Colorado]

Sam Miller
Miller, Sam
Sammy Mills

 

[A. Gorilla]

Sorce, sorce, and then whats his name....

Oh, Sorce.

 

[Shogun610]

As someone who has 7 Sam Miller Pots , I can attest to how fitting his work is to what I want to invoke in my trees.
Nao Tokutake , don’t have anything from him yet, hoping to change that soon. I’ve
appreciated his work for some time.
Sara Rayner
Runner up -Nick Lenz , i love his pots and want to find them, he seems like a mystery to me.
Runner up no 2. Max Braverman , old school American potter from around here.

 

[rockm]

I like what I've seen from Eli Atkins at Waldo St. Potter ( I believe that's where Ron Lang's Kiln wound up), and our very own Tokutake. Really like what I've seen of his so far.

Bonsai Pottery | Tokutake Bonsai | Nao Tokutake

Tokutake Bonsai offers custom hand crafted bonsai pottery by Nao Tokutake

www.tokutakebonsai.com

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FWIW, to replace Ron Lang requires someone who can work BIG (like over 15" and larger)--consistently with skill. That's a big ask, since it requires a BIG kiln and a lot of material and someone to buy the pots. . Sara Raynor is one of the American potters who can do that. Nao Tokutake looks to be another. I haven't seen many others who can pull off big pots that aren't simply serving bowls with a hole in the bottom. Roy Minarai's glazes are spectacular, but I can't use 6-10 inch pots...

 

[rockm]

As someone who has 7 Sam Miller Pots , I can attest to how fitting his work is to what I want to invoke in my trees.
Nao Tokutake , don’t have anything from him yet, hoping to change that soon. I’ve
appreciated his work for some time.
Sara Raynor
Runner up -Nick Lenz , i love his pots and want to find them, he seems like a mystery to me.

Nick Lenz no longer makes pots.

 

[leatherback]

Nick Lenz no longer makes pots.

Yeah. Still looking for his pots. Anyone who has Lenz pots, lets see how to get them across to EU.

 

[Shogun610]

Nick Lenz no longer makes pots.

Ok, still want to find some though

 

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

I like what I've seen from Eli Atkins at Waldo St. Potter ( I believe that's where Ron Lang's Kiln wound up), and our very own Tokutake. Really like what I've seen of his so far.

Bonsai Pottery | Tokutake Bonsai | Nao Tokutake

Tokutake Bonsai offers custom hand crafted bonsai pottery by Nao Tokutake

www.tokutakebonsai.com

Products

FWIW, to replace Ron Lang requires someone who can work BIG (like over 15" and larger)--consistently with skill. That's a big ask, since it requires a BIG kiln and a lot of material and someone to buy the pots. . Sara Raynor is one of the American potters who can do that. Nao Tokutake looks to be another. I haven't seen many others who can pull off big pots that aren't simply serving bowls with a hole in the bottom. Roy Minarai's glazes are spectacular, but I can't use 6-10 inch pots...

Big fan of Eli. And I agree with your size & scope assessment.

I’m digging Tokutake’s work as well.

I think Iker has done some nice big stuff.

 

[rockm]

Ok, still want to find some though

Well, good luck. Hope you have a lot of cash...

This item is unavailable - Etsy

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American Bonsai Hand Made Bonsai Pot

American Bonsai containers are hand made and created by bonsai potters right here in the USA.

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These prices are not unusual for basic pots. The best ones are already in private collections and bring much MUCH higher prices. The National Arb asked owners to allow some to be exhibited a while back. These photos are of some of the pots on display. If I recall correctly, some of their owners post here occasionally. Ask if they want to sell ;-)...

 

[Shogun610]

Well, good luck. Hope you have a lot of cash...

This item is unavailable - Etsy

Find the perfect handmade gift, vintage & on-trend clothes, unique jewelry, and more… lots more.

www.etsy.com

American Bonsai Hand Made Bonsai Pot

American Bonsai containers are hand made and created by bonsai potters right here in the USA.

www.americanbonsai.com

These prices are not unusual for basic pots. The best ones are already in private collections and bring much MUCH higher prices. The National Arb asked owners to allow some to be exhibited a while back. These photos are of some of the pots on display. If I recall correctly, some of there owners post here occasionally. Ask if they want to sell ;-)...

Perhaps one day , I’ll stick w my top 3 for now.

 

[penumbra]

It must be a lot of pressure to be at the top.

 

[TinyArt]

It must be a lot of pressure to be at the top.

I would hope that when there's a waiting list, customers are patient...but humans being human...? I can only imagine being good enough to be sought after enough to get away with being cantankerous..."no pots for you!"

 

[bwaynef]

I like what I've seen from Eli Atkins at Waldo St. Potter ( I believe that's where Ron Lang's Kiln wound up), and our very own Tokutake. Really like what I've seen of his so far.

Eli is one of "our very own" as well: @Waldo Street Pottery

 

[Hartinez]

Big fan of @Mike Hennigan at Red Tail Pottery

 

[BrightsideB]

are there people who create bonsai pots out of rock? Like drilling into rock? I imagine it’s not a new idea. But think it would look cool! I’ve seen some but was curious if anyone did it and sold them?

 

[rockm]

Eli is one of "our very own" as well: @Waldo Street Pottery

Yep. Forgot that

are there people who create bonsai pots out of rock? Like drilling into rock? I imagine it’s not a new idea. But think it would look cool! I’ve seen some but was curious if anyone did it and sold them?

Yeah, Kurama stones have been used in Japan for years. However, rocks are heavy and mostly impractical. Rocks that are adequate to use as pots aren't all that common either.

 

[Ohmy222]

I think most would say Raynor, Sam Miller, and Roy Minarai. I personally like Nao Tokutake the best by quite a bit but I am lukewarm on most of the rest. I am not a serious pot collector but most American potters seem to either only make round pots, small pots, or pots with glazes that can be too much. Even Roy, I really like and think his craftmanship is spot on, and the glazes are beautiful but I can't seem to seem to envision a tree in them. Almost like they are art and not containers. I know Mach5 had a muted cream colored pot from him that I liked (very long pot). I really prefer rectangular pots in most cases and like them to be crisp with clean lines. A weird architectural design hang-up I have. I will say that Stacy Allen Muse has some amazing painted pots. Assuming he makes the pots then I will put him #2. Ron Lang did make some stellar pots.

 

[PeaceLoveBonsai]

Shameless plug, but I've interviewed several of these peeps.

Sara was so down-to-earth.

Bonsai Potter's Spotlight - Sara Rayner

An interview with the fabulous Sara Rayner. We take a deep dive look into her process and thoughts on the American Bonsai pottery scene.

www.peacelovebonsai.com

Ron was a deep thinker and generous with his time.

Potter's Spotlight - Ron Lang - Lang Bonsai Containers

Discussing all things pottery with the great Ron Lang in this week's bonsai Potter's Spotlight.

www.peacelovebonsai.com

Eli is just a great dude!

Bonsai Potter's Spotlight - Eli Akins - Waldo Street Pottery

My Interview with the wonderful Eli Akins of Waldo Street Pottery

www.peacelovebonsai.com

And of course our very own Sorce!!

Bonsai Potter Spotlight - Michael Marchand - AKA "Sorce"

If you've spent anytime on a bonsai forum, you’ve most likely ran across the always excellent BonsaiNut. And if you’ve spent anytime on a BonsaiNut, you've most likely ran across the always memorable “Sorce”. I've been on the forum for a few years and have come to know Sorce as an eager hand to...

www.peacelovebonsai.com

I'd love to interview Roy or Sam. I once asked Nao, but he declined., maybe he'll reconsider