Article written by Adis Alic
Living in Jacksonville from the age of five, Tim Bullard has been a cornerstone in the
city’s art scene, bringing forth a myriad of unique and stylistic ceramic works. Tim was always an artist, his early craft being pen and ink drawings and photography while he attended various schools during his upbringing. When he met his mentor, Charles Brown, he began his love for ceramics. Brown taught in the Mandarin area, being one of the few Americans to popularize the “Raku” method of firing pottery. This influence rubbed off on his students, particularly on Tim Bullard, who would later use the same method to establish himself in the Jacksonville art world.
Tim would go on to sell his work professionally, every once in a while being commissioned with a major project, such as design for major architectural feats like the Prime Osborn Convention Center. As Tim settled down and had children, he switched to teaching generations of up-and-coming artists in the area, only retiring from being an educator within the last few years. He currently still works as an artist, taking commissions when they come and expressing his unique and inspirational artworks whenever possible.
One of the most notable things about Mr. Bullard’s pottery are the techniques he uses when creating his pieces. Like his mentor, Tim enjoys the Raku method of firing his pottery. The Raku method is an ancient Japanese ceramics technique that involves firing a piece at a very high temperature and pulling it out of the kiln to create a spontaneous reaction to its new environment, giving the piece unique textures and shapes. While Tim admits that the pieces are typically not functional, their impressive appearance and artistry are a sight to behold. While Raku is a major selling point of his work, Tim also likes to experiment with various methods of firing and shaping his pieces, leaning into his various surrealist inspirations.
When asked about his inspirations, Tim gave a variety of sources. A major influence on his work are the notable surrealists like Marcelle Duchamp and Salvador Dali. This is very evident in many of his pieces, from illustrative ones to his work with various textures. He also cites influences from other cultures, historical techniques, and even pop culture. Tim’s work as a teacher has also aided in his desire to spread his influence to the new generations of artists. To the newer generations, Tim says “Work hard and do what you love.” He encourages newer artists to pursue their dreams, with the caveat that the work is going to be tough, regardless of how much you love it. His time and efforts did not come easy to him, but his influence in the Jacksonville scene is undeniable.
Currently, Tim Bullard is working on some new Raku pottery that he is excited to unveil. He also has some luster pieces, as well as horsehair pieces that he wants to show off. To Bullard, the business is a mix of work and play. He does what he has to do to make a living and then is able to really flex his muscles by experimenting with what truly interests him.
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