Meet Ron

Ever since he was a kid growing up in Minnesota, ceramist and potter, Ron Dahline, knew art was his calling. Now, his loyal fans and growing number of serious collectors are always anxious to meet the new creatures which continually creep, crawl, swim, fly, or roll out of Ron’s studio--and his mind.

“Exorcising the demons within,” is simply what he says about his unique style of art pottery.  However, if you look closely, there’s more to it than meets the eye.

Finding inspiration in the natural and "unnatural" world, his ceramic and art pottery can reek of social or political satire, evolutionary blunders, surreal caricatures, and real life stories.

Despite their enigmatic beginnings, his masterfully crafted pieces always seem to radiate with Ron’s distinctive sense of humor, fun nature, humanity and willingness to challenge social norms and the viewer.

Attending Minnesota’s Bemidji State University in the 80’s and 90’s, Ron’s means to this end began when he merged his education, creative mind, and unique expressionism with clay and ceramics. In a unique blend of mind and soul, he finally found his mistress and began creating his “creature landscape sculptures.”

Although he uses the genre to express his emotions, create statements, and laugh at others (including himself), his face jugs have a tradition that dates back to true utilitarian and esoteric purposes.  African and German slave potters made “face jugs" in the early 1800's. Not only were the jugs an indicator of the potter’s skill, but they  were called “boogey man jugs” designed to scare and keep children out of the household’s stash of moonshine.

Today, Ron continues that tradition, but with modern methods and messages and often “maniacal” means. Ron believes that “Good art should make one evaluate one’s own reality, whether it’s good or bad."

"My creatures are like actors on a stage. I give my guys expressions you can’t display in public, and they can do so many things I can’t. Sometimes while sculpting, I ask them directly, ‘Who do you want to be?' At other times, it’s like sculpting a landscape, and I am fascinated by the rhythm as the wrinkles and crinkles are likened to mountains and streams. Ultimately, they become who they are born and destined to be—each a unique being with an extreme personality.”

Living in an entirely too small Florida town (aka, Williston), Ron displays and sells his unique pottery in galleries regionally and across the US and on E-Bay. His work can be fun and challenging making you comfortable or uncomfortable. From funky hand-thrown and sculpted face jugs and mugs (and political penis nose mugs) to creature spirit rattles (with bits and pieces gathered from nature) his work usually succeeds in creating emotions--from nefarious smiles to serious thought. 

Ron remains in touch with artist co-ops, mentoring emerging artists, and working to foster and promote the arts.  To see Ron in the process of creating one of  his "in your face" mugs check out his early video "Reflections in Mud" in the "Artists In Residence" series on YouTube here.

When he’s not in his studio, you can often find him hanging with local artists in Cedar Key, Florida, at the Cedar Keyhole Gallery. If he's missing in action, he's probably demonstrating at the Turning Leaf Gallery in Blue Ridge, Georgia (where's he's been a suspected terrorist with a backpack), or he's lurking on E-Bay. This summer he's loaded for bear (and with lots of new pieces) and headed to Atlanta for the Slotin Folk Art Festival.

All Ron's pottery is completely lead free, non toxic and dishwasher safe. They may, however, affect your attitude, cause constant staring, and solicit strange comments, or scare babies and small children, which is completely normal!  Check out the Gallery!

Feedback from Collectors

A new king of the mountain! What creativity. Worth every cent. Excellent buy!

INCREDIBLY AWESOME AND EVIL AT THE SAME TIME !! A FANTASTIC PIECE !!!!!!

Fantastic kick butt piece...as always...as expected!! Top Notch all the way!!

Wickedly delicious-the detail is amazing. Great seller-a pleasure to deal with!

A way out piece from a very talented unbelievable potter!!!!

Incredible piece...he needs to be put on Prozac!! First Class Potter!!!!

Fabulous…THIS GUY IS A GENIUS

OUTSIDE THE LINES AND AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An absolutely incredible piece of folk art from an incredibly imaginative potter

He's crazy! He's crazy! He's crazy! AND he's talented!! First Class!!

WICKED AWESOME as Always!! Thank you Ronny Deeeeeeee!!

The greatest Face Jug Maker on eBay (or maybe the planet).

I've said it all time and time again! Ron's incredible!~!!!!!!

museum quality - ultra detailed- thanks - KILLER GLAZE and GAZE

OUTRAGEOUS..most creative potter..ex pack/ship THANK YOU RONNY I LOVE IT!!!

Am I dreaming? I've wanted aDahline so long.Wonderful potter with crazy vision!

A brilliant talented potter with a funky twist!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!!

This artist is a Genius! His talent is over shadowed by his imagination! Own one

Awesome art pottery!! Incredible artist and person!! Highly Recommend to ALL!!!!

ANOTHER WONDER FROM A WARPED MIND :O)

SNAKES ALIVE!! ANOTHER GREAT PIECE BY A GREAT ARTIST!!

Perfect in every way--unbelievably stunning--highest recommendation!!

A crazy wild unbelievably funky piece from a VERY talented funky potter! ha!

An unbelievable piece of art by a very crazy creative potter!! 1st Class!!!!!

OOoooLaLa...over the top!!! and a GREAT packaging job too!!

Seeing this Facejug on Ebay, and up close for real, do NOT compare! Fantastic!!!

I HAVE PURCHASED A LOT OF FACE JUGS. THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST! THANKS

A WONDER FROM A WARPED MIND :O)

incredible piece....incredible potter...highly recommend!!! Classy!

detail shows great talent; not a guy I would sleep near! shipping and packing+++

An amazing work of art; will certainly drop some friends' jaws!! great packing!!

AWESOME!!!!! THE BEST!!!!! THANKS!!!! 

Soooo Fooken COOOOL,

Oh . . . The Woes Of Life Embedded In His Expression; Eerily Spectacular!

THE most AWESOME imagination. I LOVE RONNY DEE & everything he creates THANK YOU

EVEN BETTER THEN IT LOOKED ON EBAY FREAKING AWESOME A+++++++++++

Class act all the way.....very talented potter, great shipping, highly recommend

SUPER face jug ,really a lot of detail, couldn't be nicer, one of the best, THANKS!!

Incredible piece. Thank you. A+++++++

"LOVE my little Devil"!! Thanks Ron/ Super Design/Fantastic Work of Art/AAA+++

Wonderful, creative work of art! Thanks for careful packing and fast shipping.

Super artwork and great care in shipping.

For some reason my wife doesn't like it / I love it!!! / A+++++++

Love the color and movement and everything else about my 1st RD piece!!!

Stunning! Everything & MORE!! Psst,,,does he have a sister? AWESOME WORK!!!

A fantastic piece from the no.1 face jug maker!! Marvellous!!!!

DAM THING BIT MY FINGER AS I TOOK OUT OF BOX! VERY HAPPY GREAT PIECE O WORK 5STR

WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!

FAST, CAREFUL SHIPPING. AMAZING WORK. NO WORRIES. NO HASSLE. EBAY'S BEST!!!

awesome,just when you think it can't get any better --- it does. thanks Ron

Perfect transaction, beautiful mug, thank you!!!!!

Incredibly detailed work..full of heart..can't be appreciated in a photo.

Incredible small Kooky piece...a work of art....as always (like its maker!!)

This guy is unbelievably talented and the pictures do not capture the art

What a hoot! The little creature's sitting on my desk...permanently!

Excellent seller! Artistic mastery! Thank you again, Ron.

"Cute" snake on an awesome jug!!! WONDERFUL PIECE!!! Thanks again Ron!!! AAA++++

ANOTHER FANTASTIC PIECE OF ART FROM THE GREAT RON DAHLINE

CHRISTMAS IN OCTOBER, HOW SWEET IT IS, FROM A MASTER ARTIST, SUPERB MUG, AAAAAA+

Amazing! Even cooler in person...the wife and kid both love it! Thanks again!

Absolutely incredible pice of pottery!! Classy.Funky.Scary. (like it's author!)

Extremly nice pice of art,and great service !! thank you so much, tack så mycket