David Westmeier

1949 Born Louisville, Kentucky

EDUCATION

1969-1971 Coursework in Studio Art, Louisville School of Art, Louisville, Kentucky

1975-1977 Coursework, Berea College, Berea, Kentucky

APPRENTICESHIPS & RESIDENCES

1973-1975 Apprenticeship with Charles Counts, Rising Fawn Pottery, Rising Fawn, Georgia

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

1972-1996 Ceramic Artist

2008-2017 Professional Driver, Transit Authority of River City, Louisville, Kentucky

2017—Ceramic Artist

David Westmeier is known for functional pieces and large-scale raku tile murals. Early in his career, Westmeier created wheel thrown functional stoneware pottery with earth toned glazes fired in a gas reduction kiln. From 1985 onward, Westmeier focused on the raku firing method used in his large-scale tile murals.

Westmeier's work often feature glazes that produce a copper hue during the reduction process in the raku firing sequence.  Westmeier removes pieces from the 1,800F degree kiln when red hot with tongs, and places each piece into an air-tight metal chamber filled with combustible material (typically sawdust or paper). This step reduces oxygen in the chamber's atmosphere to a minimal level; encouraging color development, especially copper hues with select glazes.

Subject matter, especially for tile murals, includes fossil formations. Further information is drawn from microscopic observations of plant and aquatic life, invertebrates, and leaf detritus.

Later in his career he returned to raku firing his vessel forms. Westmeier throws a variety of vessels which are altered in the leather hard stage and combined to form the ultimate object.