Artist Profile

John O. Melkonian – Master Ceramic Artist
Born 1952, Residing in California

John Melkonian is recognized as a master in the fine ceramic art of Raku. First introduced to the United States in the 1960's, the Raku process is an ancient Japanese pottery firing technique used to produce a contemporary style with a rich historic tradition.

Today John’s art is desired by major collectors in the United States for his uniqueness and quality that is unsurpassed.

It gives us great pleasure to introduce to you this unique collection. John O. Melkonian’s contemporary expressions of traditional south western Indian Pueblo Pottery are outstanding. Each piece is an example of the finest in collectable pottery. Each is signed by the artist and includes a certificate of authenticity.

Raku -
Glazed pieces of wheel-thrown or hand-built pottery are quickly removed from a red-hot kiln while the glaze is molten. The piece is immediately placed in a “reduction container” filled with a combustible material and tightly covered before the pot has a chance to re-oxidize. The resulting smoke causes the exposed clay to turn black, framing the colors of the glaze, similar to the effect of leading in a stained glass window. The copper glazes turn metallic and the white glazes crackle. Because of the variables involved: time, weather, and choice of combustible material, each piece is a one-of-a-kind work of art.