Steve Yarnall started pottery back in 2001 because a friend wanted to try a pottery class but did not want to go by themselves so I thought I would give it a try and join her. We signed up at Bill van Gilders' Frederick Pottery School in Dec 2001. The rest is history and I’ve been actively pursuing pottery ever since.

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I studied with Bill van Gilders until the school closed in April 2013. It was during this time that I really came to enjoy pottery and working with clay. I have found making pottery to be an extension of the martial arts that I practiced for over 30 years. I find it relaxing and meditative yet challenging at the same time.

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I moved over to the Frederick Clay Studio in May 2013 and started taking classes with Tim Sherman. Tim had substituted for Bill, at his school, a few times and I really enjoyed his teaching style it was an easy decision on which class to choose. I continue my studies, there, today and enjoy it more than ever.

I enjoy making functional pottery in various styles, shapes, and sizes — both wheel-thrown and hand-built. I enjoy working with various clay bodies and glaze combinations for various affects and colorations. Over the years, I have done serval different firing methods, but I have come to really enjoy wood-firing because of its' natural and random look and feel. It's always interesting to see how the wood, fire, and atmosphere of the kiln all interact and affect the outcome.