Jim Barribeau has worked with clay for over 45 years, though much of that time included periods of hiatusas life took him in other directions. His journey with ceramics began following an extended visit to Cornwall, where time spent hiking and visiting galleries—including the renowned St Ives during Bernard Leach’s lifetime—inspired his early interest in pottery. The ethos of both Leach and Michael Cardew continues to influence Jim’s approach to form and glaze.

His only formal instruction came under the guidance of a Japanese potter in Southern California, a formative experience that further deepened his appreciation for traditional techniques. Jim gravitates toward classic Japanese and Chinese glazes, all of which he formulates from scratch. He has avoided manufactured glazes since his early days, embracing the unpredictability and depth that come from creating his own materials.

Firing his stoneware pieces to 1280°C—a temperature few potters use today—adds another layer of unpredictability and interest to his work. The glazes he uses, such as a high-dolomite matte glaze, respond uniquely to kiln placement and temperature variation. While he occasionally fires in a reduction atmosphere, the works in his most recent collection were fired in oxidation.