Russell Andavall:  

Though self taught, I draw on the traditions of Cardew, Rhodes, Nelsen, Sanders, Berhenz, Hamata, and Ball in techniques of making pottery. My first clay experiences came as an observer of friends at the University of Puget Sound. These students of F.Carlton Ball enticed me into helping them fire wood burning, salt, Raku, and pit kilns. We gathered clay and brick and built kilns. I took a summer course at Tacoma Community College in 1971 and learned the basics of handbuilding and glazing. U.C. Riverside's student pot shop provided my first experiences throwing pottery on the wheel. I developed into an instructor to supplement my income as an attendant to the disabled. My first art shows at Riverside inspired me to leave my studies in psychology for courses in art. Art and ceramic craft work began to consume me. I spent whole days and nights in the pot shop. My spare time was spent reading art books and dreaming of creative endeavors. (This from a mediocre student who had trouble concentrating). Courses in drawing, painting, sculpture, and art history replaced physiological psychology, primate psychology and abnormal behavior. I went to Berkeley at Christmas in 1972 with friends. Subsequent trips in 1973 introduced me to Jules Seitz and The Potters Studio. Summer 1973 was the beginning of a dream come true. I realized that I could sell enough work on Telegraph Avenue as a street vendor to make a living. I returned to UCR to fulfill my commitments and plan a move to Berkeley. In March of 1974 Jules Seitz offered me employment as resident potter. The next two years, I studied art at Cal State Hayward, worked at The Potter's Studio, and sold my work on Telegraph Avenue as a street vendor. In 1976 I moved into my own apartment and rented a studio space at the West Coast Macaroni Factory. Larger more complete professional facilities enabled me to produce more work of better quality. I began to show at craft fairs and galleries. I showed at the Polk Street Fair, Castro, Noe Valley, Grant Street and Haight Street Fairs each year from 1978 to the present . My work has been shown at The Circle of Friends Gallery, Fox Florists, Many Moons Gallery, Famous Melissa Gallery and the Cal State Hayward Art Gallery. Articles in the Oakland Tribune, S.F. Chronicle, Berkeley Gazette and The Daily Californian highlight my work as a street vendor and craftsperson. I have worked on the Berkeley Street Artists Committee screening perspective vendors , helped promote and organize the Telegraph Avenue Christmas Fair, and au...Expand for more