Over the past 52 years as a fully self-employed potter, Robert has experienced a diverse and interesting journey in clay. Both his functional and sculptural pottery are distinguished by their glazed surfaces painted by flame and ash in his wood-fired, pit-fired and gas kilns.
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While attending the University of Vermont, as a forestry major in 1968, Robert was first introduced to clay.  Within three years he established the Mad River Pottery, a traditional stoneware studio that soon evolved into a sculptural clay business. making Water Sculptures and marketing to an international clientele.
 
In 1991 Robert and his wife Christine, a weaver, opened a gallery at their studio on Route 116 north of Bristol where his many kilns can be seen from the road.
 
By 1993, his work shifted to vessels and used firing methods for surface effect, including salt glazing, pit-firing and wood firing.  His current work is primarily done in gas-fired kilns with reduction firing.