Michael & Sumati Colpitts

Michael Colpitts is a ceramic sculptor and meditator. Primarily self taught, he has worked in a variety of study programs with other established artists in clay including Don Reitz, Toshiko Takaezu, Paulus Berensohn.

He has traveled widely and gathered much inspiration from around the world, especially Africa and Southeast Asia. From 1975 through 1982 Michael lived in Ibiza, Spain, where, he became fascinated by the desert people of North Africa and the animals of that continent. While in Ibiza, he solidified his construction techniques of hand building and pinch and began his exploration of using clay like fabric.

At present much of his inpiration comes from oriental influences. He brings the inner qualities of silence and peace from his meditation practice to his Asian figurative work. Michael's work has appreared in one man and group shows in Barcelona, Ibiza and Manises, Spain and in Sun Valley, Idaho and Marin County, California.

Sumati Colpitts is a ceramic sculptor, licensed massage therapist, and culinary gourmet cook. All her professions rely on her tactile wisdom and creativity through her hands. She has studied at the Chicago Art Institute and the Kansas City Art Institute exploring a wide range of media, but has always been drawn to the use of textures an d color.

She has first worked in clay with Michael in India in 1989 and they have been working and living together in Sedona since 1997.

Their interest is to capture the essence of the animal or the figure and give them an expression that makes you feel good when you look at them.