Seller Story: Donald S. Wilson, Clayton, MO
“I met Donald because he was my tennis coach. I started playing 37 years ago at age 30, and ended up being in the top 10 in St. Louis for maybe 15 years, so he really worked his magic. He had a master’s degree in physical education and taught fitness at the high school, and then I introduced him to pottery. I was taking pottery at Meramec Community College in St. Louis, and I thought he would be good at it. And it turns out he was very good at it! He never stopped after that.
When you play tennis and you’re a teacher, you use a ball basket, and when Donald went into ceramics, that was one of the first things he started making: baskets. He loved the outdoors—he’d often hike along the Mississippi River outside St. Louis. I think he got a lot of inspiration from those hikes. He used rocks and granite as lids on the tops of pots, for example, and he’d dig up clay by the river banks. He liked to gather things; he collected all of the feathers for the installation that’s pictured here.”
He also loved collecting other people’s pottery. When he started, Bob Allen was teaching, and the sale includes some of his pieces, like the mugs and vases with faces. There are also some from Bunny McBride, who teaches at the University of Iowa, and from Lucy Natkiel of Hill Design.” – Linda Becker, friend
Donald S. Wilson Ceramic Vessels
Donald S. Wilson Abstract Ceramic Sculpture
Clay Face Pottery Containers by Bob Allen
Original Abstract Art Pottery
Concrete and Metal Face Sculptures by Donald S. Wilson
Group of Three Bob Allen Pottery Vessels
Donald S. Wilson Ceramic Sculpture
Pottery Mugs Including Fair Trade Jesus Mug
Ceramic Sculptures by Donald S. Wilson
Collection of Mugs with Faces
Original Ceramic and Concrete Artwork by Donald S. Wilson
Collection of Decorative Earthen Clay Bowls
Collection of Ceramic Tea Pots
Handmade Ceramic Basket Sculpture by Donald S. Wilson
Donald S. WIlson Mixed Media Masks
Ceramic Basket Artwork by Donald S. Wilson
Original Ceramic Sculpture by Donald S. Wilson
Handmade and Signed Clay Vases
Heavy Painted Art Platter
Collection of Earth Tone Artisan Pottery
Assortment of Pottery
Assortment of Ceramic Bowls
Two Studio Pottery Lidded Jars Including Bob Allen Stoneware
Pair of Large Stoneware Ceramic Plates
Set of Hill Design Wine Goblets
Set of Blue and Cream Pottery Vases
Unique and Signed Concrete Artwork by Donald S. Wilson
Art Pottery Centerpiece Bowl
Rustic Art Pottery Assortment
Pottery Tea Pot and Urn Pair
Group of Decorative Plates
James Howe Studio Vases
Duo of Glazed Vases
Assortment of Pottery Cups
Assortment of Mixed Media Pottery Platters
Collection of Decorative Pottery Vases
Selection of Ceramic Vessels by Bob Allen
Green and Blue Teapot, Pitcher and Bowl
Group of Ceramic Pitchers
Bob Allen Ceramic Vase And Bowls
How would you describe Donald’s style?
Free, loose, naturalistic. He used techniques that were all his own. For the baskets, he extruded tendrils of clay, wrapped them around a form, and built around them. The bowls that look like a sun exploding are really delicate pieces. He used bandage tape and dipped it in slip and put it over a balloon-shaped form, draped it and let it dry, and then turned it over and fired it.
What was he like as a person?
The main thing that struck me about him was how generous he was with his time and his possessions. He was a very giving person.
Was he involved in the local St. Louis art scene?
He didn’t do shows, per se. He had a few at the community college, but not on the level of the artists guild. He was more reclusive. I encouraged him to do more but he didn’t, but he did hang out with other potters and artists and liked going to all the art shows around town.
