Full Victory Pottery-Matt Long

This is a soda-fired whiskey jug by Matt Long. On his website he talks about how his passion for clay lies within functional pottery. He focuses on all kinds of functional ware, but mostly on many different kinds of liquor bottles. From Whiskey Hip Flasks to Bourbon Bottles to Sake Sets, he does it all. His style is quite dirty and organic and yet at the same time his bottles certainly serve their purpose. I am definitely going to be looking at his work for inspiration this year. Matt Long teaches in the art department at the University of Mississippi.

Ted Neal Pottery

This bottle set by Ted Neal is entitled, "Pick Your Poison." There is a radioactive poison symbol on the liquor bottle, and the shot glasses are made to look like radioactive waste bottles. It's simple. Just a matte white glaze, and the bottle form is not incredibly intricate, but in simplicity is beauty and this piece also sends a message. Alcohol is a poison and does force many strong people to decay. I wish I had seen something like this for inspiration to do my shocking art piece. Ted Neal is the Assistant Professor of Art at Ball State University.