About Me
My name is Jon Lundstrom and I am a retired architect turned full time ceramic artist, currently enjoying the more unpredictable world of clay from my little corner in Orange County, California. A born-and-raised SoCal native, I've been a practicing potter for over 30 years.
My work draws inspiration from my eclectic interests in arts and architecture, which means my ceramics are a bit like me: structured but with plenty of room for improvisation.
I spend a lot of time experimenting with wheel-thrown, hand-built, glazed, and fired techniques—mostly because I enjoy the challenge and the fact that, despite the failures and surprises along the way, most pieces still end up looking as I imagined.
When I’m not ensconced in clay, I enjoy music, history, traveling, and cooking. I also spend a fair amount of time with my three kids and five grandchildren.
About My Work
An Artist's Statement
Throughout my artistic career in ceramics, my primary focus has been on embarking upon a journey of exploration. This journey has involved delving into the depths of the materials, pushing their physical limits, and expanding my knowledge through constant experimentation.
I have consistently strived to surpass the boundaries of the medium, seeking liberation from the constraints of process-oriented design that were ingrained in my previous profession as an architect.
While my recent work exhibits a sense of unrestrained expressiveness, it is crucial to acknowledge that even in the midst of exploration, I remain anchored by my understanding of the medium and the discipline of process. Within the body of my work, diverse themes naturally emerge, capturing my imagination along the way.
One such collection, the Tectonic/Lantern series, finds its roots in my fascination with architectural history. Drawing upon my architectural background, I start with scaled drawings and progress to texturing, cutting, assembling, and embellishing the various components—a realm familiar to any architect.
On the other end of the spectrum lies the Earth collection, which explores a primal, organic physicality. This body of work emerges from a more spontaneous process, involving texturing, stretching, tearing, and piercing.
Above all, my ultimate objective is to continue the journey of creative exploration while consistently nurturing my desire for learning. Each step along this path brings me immense joy, and I am driven by a constant thirst to expand my artistic horizons.