About the Artists
Paul Willsea and Carol O’Brien are a husband and wife team. They live with their children and an assortment of animals on fifty-four acres in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of upstate New York.
Their Pyramid series combines two strong forms: the solid casting with either a fluid blown form or another cast vessel. The addition of silver leaf evokes a sense of antiquity and preciousness. The Crackle pieces illustrate a weathered texture in the color. The ring pieces are about color: lots of it and how it relates to and defines the form.
Paul and Carol have intentionally chosen to keep their business small. Each piece is made by them. What you hold and enjoy is the product of an artisan’s willingness to make a lot of mistakes and to learn the potential of their material. What motivates them is the never-ending search for the right color, the perfect proportions and a profound gratitude that they can support themselves doing something they love.