Bio by M+H

Artists Michael and Melinda have been married for 30 years and share a love for rustic, colorful, handmade crafts. Their studio is located in California, in a small desert town, known for abundant wildflowers, sunny skies and clear views of the surrounding snow peaked mountains.

The couple draws their artistic influences initially from the Southern California hippie movement, but more recently from the hills of Tennessee, where they have a second home and 42 acres near he Buffalo River. They have been involved there, with a group of Appalachtian style mountain people, for 8 years now. The community is a mixture of family-run small farms and home-based craftsmen. Many are from Amish backgrounds. The community works together and sells their harvest and handcrafts from stands on the side of their country road which winds through the backwoods and grassy hollows.
The word “biscotti” refers to a twice-baked Italian cookie which Melinda is well known for making in a delicious variety of flavors. While Michael is busy baking their pottery twice in the kilns, his wife is busy baking cookies twice in the oven. She usually has several of their home-made bowls full of the tasty treats and is ready at a moment’s notice to host anyone who happens by.

A Stones Throw Gallery

Our son and his dear family who live near Kernville discovered a shop there. They encouraged us greatly to get our work displayed there. So it is. The place is located in a small square that surrounds a nice park. The river is less than half a mile away, and the area is quite beautiful.

A Few of Our Things

While Jane was still here...

She encouraged us immensely as have many. Thank you all.

Mike, a ceramic tile artisan for over 30 years, (tile installation), and Melinda, a credentialed teacher, are having pottery classes.

We are studying pottery diligently and have the equipment to teach it, too. We
have the work shop, the wheels, the table, the kilns, and the glazes to
produce something unique and creative.

The ability for many ages and abilities to work side by side and the therapeutic value of creating something all add up to a great fail-free art experience.

We have a small studio behind our home.
E-mail us for a time to visit.

Group lessons for six to eight:
This class is transportable meaning we can bring it to your location or hold it in our studio.

Session One:
We bring the clay and teach coil and slab construction. Participants build using these techniques. We will have examples of simple projects with us. Usually an hour is sufficient to build two or three small pots, baskets, nut bowls, or ornaments. If you think your group would like more time, we would consider your needs. These items then are fired in a kiln at our place.

Session Two:
We bring the glazes and show how to use a variety of color combinations to create beautiful pieces. These must be fired again and then we return them to you.

Contact us at biscottipottery@gmail.com