Before discovering clay, Falco sought artistic expression in jewelry making.
“I began doing lapidary art about 30 years ago,” said Falco. “I also worked with silver. It was pretty good for a while, until silver prices got to be very expensive. But jewelry making didn’t give me the outlet I was looking for.”
After jewelry making, he took up woodworking, building cabinets and carving wood.
“I loved working with wood. The problem with wood is that when you make a mistake, there’s no way to correct it,” he said
However, clay is pliable and can be reshaped if the potter gets it wrong the first time. Several years ago, he took ceramic classes at
“Ceramics is something I can literally get my hands into,” he said. “I like working with clay. It allows me to express myself. If I make a mistake with clay, it is easily fixed. For me, it’s all about the clay, working with it, creating and being able to expand on it.”
He has settled on a style his customers seem to like—a blend of Native American with an Asian flair. He is particularly influenced by the Southwestern Native American folklore called dreamwalkers.
“Dreamwalkers are spiritual beings who have the ability to walk through somebody’s dream and chase away the evil spirits,” he said.
He said he wants his ceramic pieces to have a calming influence on his customers much like the dreamwalkers calm their hosts’ dreams, “People like the spirituality of my pieces.”
Lately, he as been working out of his garage, trying to build an inventory so he can participate in more shows like “Art Works ’09.”
“I want to do more shows. I want people to see what I’m doing. I want to sell what I do,” he said. “But I would do it anyway because I enjoy it. It allows me to relax and be creative at the same time.”
(This is the final “Art Works ’09” article. However, visual and performing- art lovers can visit http//www.warrenville.il.us/liv_gen_channel10.aspx for Channel 10’s listing of highlights of the show. Individual or family memberships in the Warrenville Arts Council are still available. For more information call (630) 876-2935 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .).
