Otto Heino, a master of midcentury modern ceramics
Back in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, when California crafts blossomed into a national design movement, Ojai ceramist Otto Heino was at the heart of the scene. Decades later, new generations are discovering his work, often drawn to his earthy, organic expression of midcentury modernism. Photographed here in 2008, he was still working at 94 as his apron attests. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
Heino throws clay at his pottery wheel, forming what would become a 15-inch vase. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
Despite his age and slight physique, Heino turned out gargantuan platters and other substantial vessels with remarkable speed. In less than one hour, 50 pounds of clay quickly become five impressive bowls and vases. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
Heino adds detail to a piece. He has understood and manipulated clay as well as or better than the handful of ceramists whose work transcends crafts, said Los Angeles Modern Auctions owner Peter Loughrey, who has seen prices for Heino pieces double in recent years. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
Heino fired his own pottery in nine kilns at his cinder-block home studio, on property once owned by the legendary potter Beatrice Wood. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
Among collectors, Heino was known for his glazes: jade-like celadons, rich blues and turquoises, pale purples, blood reds and especially a velvety, low-sheen yellow that is seemingly impossible for others to reproduce. The rare glaze is a once-lost ancient Asian formula that Heino said had drawn million-dollar-plus offers from companies in China, Japan and Korea. It can be seen to the right, on the pots waiting to be fired in the kiln. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
The resulting soft yellow hue of the special glaze can be seen here in Heinos showroom, in the middle of the upper shelf, under his portrait. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
The surface and color and the iron spots on a lot of the pots make them look natural, unmanipulated, like a rock youd find somewhere, says Doug Van Sickle, a Sherman Oaks potter who studied with Heino. Some of the finishes are glassy, some satiny, others rough and speckled. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
Copper pots and pans wedding gifts to Heino and his late wife, Vivika hang from an iron and wood shelf that the artist designed for his Ojai home. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
Next to an original wrought-iron butterfly chair with leather seat, the gas-powered potbellied stove is backed by a wall covered in handmade Heino tiles. The Windsor-style chair to the right is testament to Heinos East Coast roots. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
Heinos living room is a midcentury collectors dream: A pair of authentic Hans Wegner Papa Bear chairs flank the fireplace. Danish credenzas and tables are covered in 50s and 60s ceramic lamps and bric-a-brac, and ethnic textiles lend more period color. Never hurry, Heino said. Never worry. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times)
