About My Work

About my work.

My pieces are hand-built. And free form. And one-of-a-kind. And, because I am a
persistent perfectionist, all my pieces know that if they don't perform their tasks flawlessly,
they will never get out of the studio.

I am the only person who touches the work. From creating the initial design
to testing the finished piece, as many as 115 steps, it's just me and my 10 fingers.
The process can take up to 6 weeks.

Then, if there is anything I don't like (functionally or esthetically) I pick up a tool
I call The Hammer of Hal and smash that piece. And restart it from the beginning.
It's my version of Quality Control. It's also the main reason why
I don't promise delivery dates on commissions.

I make strongly sculptural stoneware lamps, some lit by oil-wicks, others by candles.
And, because I leave my pieces unglazed, the light is captured
on their matte inner surfaces and softly accents their shapes.

My most recent adventure springs from my creation of one-of-a-kind vases. It is the design and execution of a series of moribana. These containers for ikebana (the popular art of Japanese floral arrangement) combine the look of massive architecture with the simplicity required by small display spaces.

I also continue to handbuild stoneware planters, which are designed for small indoor cacti, succulents and bulbs. These unique botanical habitats are prized for their functionality and beauty by gardeners and collectors alike.

To find out more, e-mail me here:
Halsilverman@AOL.com