ROBERT MAXWELL: A CALIFORNIA ODYSSEY by Jack Chipman Robert Maxwell is probably best-known for the imaginative stoneware animal sculptures he produced in the 1960s in Venice, California. But he is much more than that. He is an accomplished potter who can and does produce just about any form on the potter's wheel. NAVY Maxwell was born in Los Angeles in 1932. He received his advanced education at Pasadena City College (1953-55) and the University of California at Los Angeles (1955-59), where he earned a MFA Degree along with general and secondary teaching credentials. In between PCC and UCLA he served in the US Navy. UCLA After discharge from the Navy, he enrolled as an art major at UCLA but his first ceramics class in 1955 was a turning point. Then and there he discovered that working in clay and creating third-dimensional objects would be his destiny. His academic experience at UCLA was enriched by ceramic instructors Laura Andreson (who headed the department) and Bernard Kester. These prominent working professors instilled in him a love of ceramic form and decoration but also emphasized the discipline of design. BEASTIES The animal sculptures that many collectors fondly refer to as "critters" or "beasties" came about in graduate school as a "happy accident". When a wheel-thrown vase didn't work out, Maxwell employed his fertile imagination and sense of humor and transformed a misstep into an animal--an animal the likes of which had never been seen before. These critters soon multiplied and eventually became a signature style, one that continues to fascinate the many collectors of his work. VENICE BUSINESS In 1960, shortly after receiving his MFA from UCLA, Robert Maxwell was invited to share the Venice studio of potter David Cressey. Cressey, who was a UCLA teaching assistant at the time, was the one who had provided undergraduate Maxwell with his introduction to clay. Maxwell spent a couple of years perfecting his skills in tandem with Cressey, but after finding a suitable Venice location in 1963 he established an independent ceramics business. Engaging in what was essentially production came naturally due to a propensity to be prolific. Forming a relationship with the NS Gustin Company, who represented the business to the trade, virtually guaranteed success. Early on, Maxwell produced numerous variations on his quirky animals theme, many of which were slip-cast. At the onset of production, the Maxwell animals were manufactured through an arrangement with the Winfield China (American Ceramic Products, Inc) plant of Santa Monica. Robert and wife Gaye Lyn, who assisted in many aspects of the business, had already employed George Binkley of the Santa Monica Mold Shop as their mold maker (and occasional modeler.) Because his business was in close proximity to ACP and the Maxwells had no stoneware slip at the time, they decided to enlist the help of the neighboring company. The assisted production using Winfield's porcelain slip and a sprayed-on engobe that simulated the rough texture and color of stoneware lasted less than a year. TIMELINE 1932 Born in Los Angeles 1950 Graduation from Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte (MAD) High School 1953 Graduation from Pasadena City College 1953-55 Military service in the US Navy 1957 Bachelor Degree from the University of California at Los Angeles 1957-63 Shares Venice studio with David Cressey 1959 MFA Degree from UCLA along with General and Secondary teaching credentials 1957-59 Teaching assistant at UCLA 1959-63 Ceramics instructor at Santa Monica High School 1960-61 Included in traveling exhibition organized by the Long Beach Museum of Art 1962 Art instructor in adult education at Santa Monica City College 1963 Ceramics instructor in adult education at Cerritos Junior College 1964 Marriage of Gaye Lyn and Robert Maxwell 1963-70 Robert Maxwell ceramics business located in Venice