Paul J. Katrich

Positively Unique and Rather Extraordinary
Luster Pottery
(for Unique and Extraordinary People)

A Katrich Treasury

The Artist's Choice of
Favorite Luster Vessels

"Angels Playing Nine Pins", 1129 (12"):
Tony McCormack Collection.

"In Washington Irving's classic tale, Rip Van Winkle,
the source of thunder is a game of celestial Nine Pins.
Why not?"




"Great Day In The Morning", 1104 (13"):
Corbo-Lytwyn Collection.

"The title derives from the old song,
"Walk the streets of glory on that
great day in the morning.""




"Empyrean", 1082 (9" Diameter):
Bruce and Linda McKenzie Collection.

"Dante's Divine Comedy culminates in a
vision of the "celestial rose," or
inner-most heaven. For Dante it is the
point in his narration "where vigor fails
the lofty fantasy." His words are inadequate
to describe the experience, and he returns to
the terrestrial realm."




"Judgement Day", 1050 (14"):
Phillip Morici Collection.

"I've never regarded apocalyptic visions as
necessarily a negative thing. On this vase,
the cosmos is being renewed and re-ordered;
the cycle has reached its destined conclusion."




"The Burning Bush", 1035 (13"):
Woodall-Woolmer Collection.

"The burning bush is an actual plant,
which turns an almost neon red in Autumn.
I appreciate the biblical image of
branches aflame, yet unconsumed by fire.

A potter uses fire in much the same way.
Each piece is a small miracle; a covenant
with the kiln, and the powers that be."




"When The Stars Begin To Fall", 1008 (16"):
Bruce and Linda McKenzie Collection.

"From the traditional folk song,
"You will hear the shout of victory,
when the stars begin to fall.""





"Aladdin's Cave", 0994 (13"):
Nickel-Horvath Collection.

"Hidden treasures lie within the imagination."




"Summit Of The Stars", 0993 (12-1/4"):
Nickel-Horvath Collection.

"From the Book of Job: "Is not God in the
height of Heaven; yet behold, the Summit of
the Stars, how exalted are they!""




"Better Angels Of Our Nature"
(from Abraham Lincoln's First
Inaugural Address), 0960 (15"):
Leah Gordon Collection.

"Few persons have offered the world more profound
statements than Abraham Lincoln. This piece is
from his first inaugural address.

"Depicted here, angels are not corporeal beings,
but the striving for something innate and positive."




"Evening Star"
(from the Edgar Allan Poe poem), 0951 (13"):
Collection of the Artist.

"Poe is a writer of such gifts and accomplishments
that it is difficult to give him adequate credit.
Beyond the stereotypes and haunted themes, he
often transcends in unexpected ways. This vase
is a gentle tribute to one of my favorite authors."


Read "Evening Star" by Edgar Allan Poe.




"Prometheus Unbound"
(from Percy Shelley and Aeschylus), 0938 (15"):
Ron and Miriam Forim Collection.

"Legend has it that it was Prometheus
who gave mankind the gift of fire.
He is a natural icon for potters."




"The Angelus", 0936 (14-1/2"):
Nickel-Horvath Collection.

"Once, no Victorian home was complete without a
framed print of the famous painting, "The Angelus,"
by Millais. Van Gogh was partial to this respectful
depiction: a peasant couple giving thanks at the
end of a day's work. I wished to interpret this
same theme of quiet gratitude, and an underlying glory.
This piece is one of my very favorites."




"Escape At Bedtime"
(from the Robert Louis Stevenson poem), 0820 (11"):
Valerie and Eron Epstein Collection.

"I have always loved the poetry of
Robert Louis Stevenson, especially
A Child's Garden of Verses.

"This vase was a component of my solo
exhibition in New York City, in 2004.
The text of "Escape at Bedtime"
best explains the theme."




"Patriot Corona", 0763:
Ron and Miriam Forim Collection.

"Beyond its symbolic meaning, the American flag
is a great piece of graphic art. From artists
as diverse as Childe Hassam and Jasper Johns,
it occurs again and again in visual interpretations.
Here is my addition to the subject."




"Alpha and Omega", 0760:
Private Collection in New York City.

"This vase draws its life from many sources.
I admire ancient Persian pottery and its
adherence to script and geometry for decoration.
The idea of gilded symbols comes from medieval
and Carolingian manuscripts, where the writings
are beautiful in and of themselves.

"I once saw a painting by Petrus Christus,
with a vision of the Virgin surrounded by
branches hung with golden gothic letters,
variously reflecting the light.

"Somehow, all of these disparate ideas came
together, and this vase is the result."

Internet Archive and History

We have kept this Internet archive since
the earliest existence of the vessels.
Believing Katrich Pottery to have permanent
value and historical resonance, we have
expended substantial resources, both material
and intellectual, to maintain this record.
In so much as possible, it is absolutely complete.

This documentation virtually assures the
authenticity and integrity of all Katrich vessels,
however far they may travel. Our collectors will
always enjoy total access to the true story of
their cherished pottery.

To our knowledge, no other studio pottery,
vintage or modern, can claim so sober and
comprehensive an account of unique work.
In the realm of ceramics, nothing comparable
has been attempted or so long preserved.

We welcome visitation from collectors, students,
scholars and pottery enthusiasts of every stripe.
Katrich Studios, Inc., is the ultimate authority
for the works of Paul J. Katrich.
We hope that you enjoy our efforts.

Design and Lecture Services

Paul J. Katrich is a modern traditionalist.
He is also a degreed Art Historian
and frequent guest lecturer in the
fine and decorative arts.

An accomplished sculptor and artist in many media,
he offers a variety of professional design services.
Mr. Katrich serves as Secretary on the Board of the
American Art Pottery Association.

"I am always delighted to speak to
you regarding your needs and interests.
I am pleased to discuss gallery and museum shows,
charitable events, commissions, lectures or
special purchases. You may expect a prompt
and polite response." - Paul J. Katrich

Your questions and comments
are gratefully received,
by sending e-mail to
Luster@Katrich.com
or by phoning
248-738-7720.


To see a larger photograph,
please click on an image.

Fine Art Pottery

The contemporary pottery of Paul J. Katrich
consists of fine, hand-thrown ceramic vessels,
fired with rare colors and treatments,
including in-glaze iridescent lusters.

Each piece is utterly unique
in design and execution:
no repetition is possible.

Flawed or inferior examples are
destroyed: no second-quality Katrich
pottery is ever permitted to enter
the marketplace.

The Pottery Marks
of Paul J. Katrich

From 1997-2005
his Registered Trademark
(a Grecian Sphinx)
was glazed and fired
onto the bottom
of the vessels.




Beginning in 2006
his "KATRICH" name was included
below his Registered Trademark
(a Grecian Sphinx), and then
glazed and fired together
onto the bottom of the vessels.

The Katrich Mark

A Personal Description by the Artist

"A Grecian Sphinx appears on all authentic ceramic works of Paul J. Katrich. The Sphinx is a symbol shrouded in myth and antiquity; revered in many cultures. "I adopted this signature to demonstrate respect for the artists of the ancient East, whose pottery is a constant source of wonder. For me, the Sphinx is a guardian of arcane knowledge and many mysteries. "By tradition, the vessel held in her paws denotes life and special insight. "She has faithfully served Katrich Studios, as a companion and good-luck token, for many years. May she do as much for the possessor." Paul J. Katrich

If an Image is Missing

If any images or graphics do not appear,
click in the frame with the right mouse button
(or hold down your Mac's mouse button)
and choose the option "Show picture".
A momentary problem with the Internet
may have occurred.

Largest Images

To see the largest images at Katrich Studios,
please click on a photograph or graphic.

Most images will open in a new window.
But, some web browsers will shink our large images,
to fit in the new window.

If the image is too small,
you can see the largest image possible in Windows:
1. Point your mouse at the image in the new window.
2. Click your right mouse button.
3. A menu will appear.
4. Left click on "Save Image" to download a file.
5. Then in your computer, double-click the image file.

This method works for most Internet images and graphics.

A free image viewer is IrfanView for Windows.
IrfanView opens most images and graphics.
It can also "capture" a picture of your Desktop screen,
when you can not save an image, for whatever reason.
Google "IrfanView" for the latest version.

Our web site is highly recommended by Schoolzone,
Britains' premier educational site.

Free Computer Access for People who are Blind or Cognitively Impaired If you know someone who is blind or cognitively impaired, our photographer, George Lees, who also was a Special Education Teacher, has written a guide on adapting Windows computers with free software. Please download and share this document.

Home

Every Vessel

Treasury

For Purchase

Videos

Show Schedule

History

Click Here for the
Facebook Page of Paul J. Katrich

All text and pictures at this website are copyright protected. The descriptions, designs, photography and videography of the art, pottery and history of Paul J. Katrich are copyright © 1995-2015 Katrich Studios, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Individuals and entities may not reproduce, use, copy, plagiarize or otherwise borrow anything without the express written permission of Katrich Studios, Inc. Violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of U.S. and international copyright law. The only exception is for limited, traditional "Fair Use," where attribution to Paul J. Katrich must be indicated. Additional text and pictures with links about places, events and websites are owned by their respective copyright holders. Katrich Studios, Inc., provides these links as a courtesy, and is not responsible for use of these links or the content on other websites. Your privacy: if you send us e-mail and paper addresses, they are only used to send tickets and information about Katrich Studios. We will not sell or give your addresses to others. The Trademark of Paul J. Katrich, shown on these pages and elsewhere, is registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office, and all rights are reserved.

---