Chris Nelson

"A ceramics class in high school started my work with clay.  That was my only formal training in pottery.  After graduation I continued to study with Fred Wilson of the Muddy Wheel Pottery Studio.  I began with classes, then became a studio assistant.  Through him, I expanded my knowledge of texture, color, construction, and design.

I spent a total of seven years as his apprentice.   

Since moving to Los Alamos in 1983 I have worked in my private studio pushing my imagination and expanding my skills.  My primary focus is to express my love for nature, spirit and symbol with the use of clay and various natural objects including native clays for color and texture, plants rocks, shells, driftwood and other found objects.  I focus on one of a kind, three-dimensional pieces:  pots, murals and sculptures.   

My work has been shown at the Muddy Wheel Gallery in Albuquerque, Art Center at Fuller Lodge in Los Alamos, the Los Angeles County Fair, the New Mexico State fair, various arts and crafts shows and currently in the Independent Artists Gallery Santa Fe.  I was a founding member of the Los Alamos Artist Studio Tour and participated in that event for the 10 years that it was held."

"Teddy Bear"
7"x 8"x 5½"

"La Pesadilla"
11½"x 5½"x 18"