Is the workspace of Jan Hoyman and Doug Browe,their apprentices and assistants.

Trained in the US at universities and private studios they expanded their skills during a year long tour, visiting and helping at many studios throughout the British Isles.

While there, they toured many museums and private collections of ceramics, many of them containing traditional European earthenware.

Inspired by the strong European tradition, their work has evolved into a very distinctive and personal style.

Their studio in the Ukiah Valley in Northern California, helps in offering them inspiration with its garden area and large open workspace.

Hoyman/Browe Studio's functional earthenware is meant to be their offering to aid in the celebration of everyday life.

"The Iris pattern we paint on our plates is a visual history of spring in our county, when the tiny Douglasia Iris abound. Our impressionistic decoration allows the viewer a glimpse into our imaginary garden. The act of serving food or beverages from our work amplifies the enjoyment we have in its creation. Whether it's a pitcher filled with Sangria or a bowl brimming with Pasta, our work is about people serving people, that joyful interaction of giving."

Jan Hoyman
I am a potter decorating pots. My images are from my life making pots, and the pots themselves. I am interested in keeping that relationship very direct.

The colors I use are about my clay pots and the world in which they live. There are strong relationships between various colors that go beyond fads and are ageless; these are my colors.

My work with Doug is collaborative. I am a decorator at this time but our work is based on interaction between two potters and clay.

Doug Browe
My work is derived from pots, potters and pottery tradition. I am excited by the time in European history when all items, from the most humble bowl to the most lavish and extravagant platter, were hand made, often of earthenware clay.

What seduced me originally was the power of their presence juxtaposed with the simple humanity of their decoration. What has held me is the generosity of information, that free honest offering of emotion, by use of easily accessible imagery and form.   

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