Teri Melanson at Rocky Point Mid 70’s Handmade Ceramic Cup
This piece is wheel-thrown, cone 5 white stoneware, with underglaze applied, then a drawing is carefully hand carved into the surface, before being fired. Then a combination of wax resist and glazes are used to achieve this flowy result while highlighting the drawing before being fired again. Each step is hand-done and each cup is slightly unique.
The inspiration behind this piece is a photo of Teri Melanson that I have always loved. The rumor is that she was surfing Rocky Point when a wave caused her top to come off. Not a good enough reason to paddle in when the surf is pumping, Teri continued to rip. Legendary surf photographer Bernie Baker was on the beach and able to capture the iconic photo.
I’ve made different renditions of this piece for a while now, and it’s been a favorite among customers. I showed one to my friend Owl Chapman, and he told me to wait where I was and popped back into his shaping bay before returning with one of the original signed photos of Teri from Bernie Baker that was gifted to him years ago. He gave it to me, and it is now one of my most prized possessions.
I don’t know Teri, and I don’t know how accurate the stories are related to the moment captured in the photo, but it’s one of my favorite photos in surfing. She’s badass, beautiful, and ripping.