Louisville, Kentucky

Artist and owner of Mr. Benny’s Pot Shop and Isla Transfers Jason Burnett earned his degrees in ceramics and printmaking at Western Kentucky University. He then continued his education in the mountains of Western North Carolina at Penland School of Crafts. Shortly thereafter he was an Artist-In-Residence at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee where he discovered more than his passion for pottery, but his love for karaoke, moonshine, and Dolly Parton.

In 2016 Jason moved back to his childhood home in Louisville, Kentucky with his family only to rediscover his love of Louisville drag queens, bourbon, and all the festivals Louisville has to offer. Jason teaches and exhibits nationally at arts and ceramic facilities, as well as the author of Graphic Clay (Lark Books).

Artist Statement

Jason Bige Burnett's fascination begins with the vocabulary of vessels and their narrations of our lives illustrating living spaces and reflecting daily routines. Coffee stained cups in the cupboards, plates hanging embellishing the walls, and teapots that remain untouched in glass cabinets are all artifacts of our own existence. Stains, cracks, and pristine luster adorned objects are stories he believes to be worth telling. As a result, Burnett achieves to create thoughtfully unrefined vessels that celebrate vulnerability and beauty.

Burnett's investigations start with recollections from growing up in a “broken” family. During that time sanctuary was found in cartoons such as Nickelodean’s Ren and Stimpy, Rugrats and Ahhh! Real Monsters. He has been re-watching them recognizing how illustrators used bright colors and patterned wallpaper to excite the domestic interiors of their characters’ homes. Since then he has introduced similar elements in his pottery to promote youthful discovery. Jason Bige Burnett's intentions are to create pottery and beautiful objects that reflect life’s escapades and serve as a bridge between the real and surreal.

View Artist Website

Images of Work

Techniques

Screen printed Underglaze transfers onto wheel-thrown and hand-built pottery

Favorite Products

To make the underglaze image transfers I thicken up commercial underglazes and add the Speedball Acrylic Transparent Base to give the underglaze an ink like viscosity/body. The Transparent Base allows a longer working time to screen print the ceramic material without it drying in the screen, while also allowing it to adhere and hold on to the paper until ready for transferring onto leather hard clay.

I also use Speedball Photo Emulsion and Emulsion Remover for its ease of use in my own studio and for the workshops I teach. I'm also a fan of Pro Tools Silkscreen frames in addition to the Deluxe Screen Printing Hinges.