Featured Artist: Macone Clay
Clay - Clayton and Michael Macone - http://www.maconeclay.com
Macone Clay is the work of Wisconsin artist Michael Macone, and his son Clayton. Michael grew up in a very creative environment. His mother was an artist and she encouraged his gift at an early age, teaching him to oil paint at age nine. He always kept busy with art and sold his first paintings to neighbors and family friends. In high school Michael spent most of his time in the art room. "If not for those A's in art, I'm not sure I would have had a high enough grade point average to graduate." He was on track to be a painter, even converting his bedroom into a studio where he worked on large 4' by 7' canvases. Then, in 1969, in his junior, a young clay major interned in Michael's high school. The two hit it off, working on joint projects in clay, and Michael's aspirations of being a painter gradually faded. 'The dramatic change in my future career based solely on the interns contagious love of clay, is a testament of the positive influence of a good teacher."
Michael Macone has been selling his ceramic art around the country for over 30 years, in the early years dragging his young family on the road with him. Five years ago Clayton decided to help carry on his fathers business. He is active in all aspects of the work including design, and exhibits at art festivals both local and national. His specialty is extruding clay into wall vases, which are very popular on the show circuit. Michael uses a unique engraving process to transfer his drawings onto the clay. They both are more interested in form rather than function. The clay is just the medium they have chosen to express their designs.
“The greatest thing about having a family business” says Michael “is that it keeps your children close by. With five grandchildren and more on the way, it’s a blessing to have them all within five miles.” Michael wishes to thank all those over the years who have made it possible for him to make a living doing what he loves. Michael also thanks his long-suffering wife Rebecca who eventually stopped asking him to get a real job.