Artist Profile: Terry Slonaker, Master of Clay

Terry Slonaker-Clay Artist

When you walk into Terry Slonaker’s studio it is immediately evident that this is where the magic happens. As I took the tour with Terry as my guide, I began to piece together the picture of an artist who has had a love affair with art his entire life. There on tables were lovely sculptures in progress and peeking out of the kiln was a family of exquisite figures just waiting to become masterpieces.

Electric Kiln fires at 1800 degrees

Turtle Maiden - Photo by Wilson Graham

Terry is an accomplished painter and sculptor. I asked him if he loves to paint as much as working with clay. His answer was emphatically clay work! Every aspect of creating his beautiful figures has presented many challenges and there is no doubt that he is more than capable of meeting them. He starts by rolling the clay on a gessoed cloth and creates the base for the figure. Slowly he hand builds, layers and carves until the once slab of clay has become almost animated. Terry explained that every step is so important to a successful end result, even the drying time is critical. He has truly become a master of his craft and I asked him what did he enjoy the most? “Hand building” he said, “That captivates me, I never get bored with it.”

As we continue through the studio I noticed some paintings on the walls along with metal sculptures and a more primitive version of the clay figures he creates now. I asked him where this artistic bent of his started and he told me that as a young man he was always drawn to creating. His parents and teachers recognized his gifts and encouraged him throughout his youth. Terry lived in Ohio at the time and persued his passions in high school creating his metal sculptures and continued to study with local artists and sculptors at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, graduating at the top of his class.

Terry Slonaker-Handbuilt stoneware ceramic figures and wheel thrown pottery

Lucky for Tucson, Terry moved to Arizona. He took a job as a graphic artist for the local newspaper and began a series of Southwest landscapes in oil and watercolor. Still passionate about sculpting he took some classes back in the “80’s” at the Pot Shop at Reid Park and studied under his mentor Mike Krapeck. As his skills increased so did his determination and he rented a corner of the Pot Shop and never looked back. Terry was still looking to sell his paintings in a local gallery but when the owner saw his pottery he was off and running! The gallery sold all his work in two weeks and was looking for more. That was one of those turning points that so many artists wish for and never get, but Terry took full advantage and worked hard and diligently. He admits to being somewhat of a perfectionist “I have to stop myself” he says in regard to his sculpting. There is no doubt that Terry has evolved over the years in his craft and has mastered the medium of clay.

At the wise age of twelve Terry Slonaker knew that he did not want to wait until he was old to do what he loved. I posed the question, will you ever retire? His response was “I am retired!” with a chuckle.

I had to ask him if he won the lottery what would he do. His answer, “Still keep sculpting.”

Terry’s work can be found at Desert Artisans’ Gallery, Tucson, AZ.

Desert Artisans’ Gallery
6536 E Tanque Verde
Tucson, AZ
520-722-4412
DesertArtisansGallery.com

About the Author:
Alexandria Winslow is Advertising Director at Desert Artisans’ Gallery, Tucson, AZ and an accomplished acrylic painter. www.AlexandriaWinslow.com

Photos by Alexandria Winslow unless otherwise noted - used with permission.