Our documentary tells the story of one of America's most respected studio potters, Randy Johnston. Set against the backdrop of his picturesque Wisconsin studio, it gives a revealing and moving insight into his artistic journey. Kicking against his family's desire for him to become a doctor, Johnston tells of his early travels to Japan, meeting the great Shoji Hamada and apprenticing to National Living Treasure, Tatsuzo Shimaoka. We are also taken on a visit to the Minnesotan studio of his lifelong mentor and friend, 94 year old American legend, Warren MacKenzie. A deep thinker, Johnston talks about his approach to his working practice and his philosophy on art and teaching.
Having studied with Warren MacKenzie and Hamada's favourite apprentice, Tatsuzo Shimaoka, Johnston is one of the most exciting and innovative potters working in America today. He is recognized internationally as an artist who has pursued functional expression and brought a fresh aesthetic vision to contemporary form, and for his many contributions to the development of wood kiln technology in the United States.
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This was so inspiring. Love the video.
Beautiful film, beautiful art, beautiful man.
Deeepak Chooopra
Uma história inspiradora. Grata por ouvi la.
.. simply put, one of the most beautiful videos I have ever seen! Thank you Goldmark for giving us a glimpse into Randy Johnson’s world. He is an American treasure!!
P. S.- I love all the Goldmark Gallery videos!
Thank you, thank you! As an in-debt artist who walked away to become a scientist with health insurance, this lovely film brought tears to my eyes. Thank you, Randy Johnson. By the way, my Dad wanted me to be a doctor too, but loved and supported my art. Someday I will meet you. I have admired your work for so many years. Back in the studio now, you and your friends are a daily inspiration to me. Stay well.
Thank you, Goldmark. Great to see you recognize one of our American partners in clay.
I do not know how to describe what a nice story, I felt this in my heart.
Very inspiring. I always enjoy the Goldmark films and this is one is wonderful. It’s a joy to hear an artist speak so genuinely about his life and work
What a lovely video about your evolution as an artist. Thank you for passing the torch as the artists before you did.
I too struggled to make a living as an artist for quite a few years but when things got really bad I got a job in a plant that makes Catylitic Converters for about 12 years.
I guess I can thank Randy’s dad for that. But in the mean time I still did art and now that I’m retired from the factory I’ve taken up pottery again.
A happy ending and it just shows how much we are all connected in a creative way.
This is a nice inspiring film. Well done.
This the most uplifting story I’ve heard in months, folding laundry I began to watch and realised I’d been holding the same pair of socks for 30 min when it finished. Haha.
Beautiful, beautiful….the pottery, the potter and the whole story around it! Thank you!☺
This reminds me of how it feels when I.m working in my studio. I sometimes forget and life outside takes over and when I walk through my studio it feels distant and my creative life miles away, but when I spend as little as 30 mins working in it again, the studio and my life feel whole again. I love this film it captures that spirit and reminds me that all of us can create this for ourselves. Sometimes we need reminding. X
A talented, unassuming, genuine man. Thank you for this video. Good for the soul.
What a beautiful spirit. How fortunate were his students who studied with such a master artist.
This is such a heartwarming film. Thank you for making and presenting it. Randy captures what it’s like to be driven to make art, as well as the challenges and rewards for choosing to be an artist and teacher. An inspiring human being as well as an awesome artist.
Thank You, Randy, perfect. Clay has been my passion for almost 50 years. More to come.
Very inspiring Mr. Johnston, have been a closet creative type for most of my life and your story really sent a spear through my fears. Thank you.
Thank you for uploading. Its immensely motivating.
Thanks for your art. And thanks for what you’ve given to the field!
So nice of you