Tom Turnbull

functional pottery

1951-2025

Many dream of the life they’d like to lead, but Tom Turnbull lived his life’s passion. The Morning commute to his backyard studio brought a full day of creating one of a kind masterpieces infused with the joy he felt in his work. His trained eye and reverence for the porcelain was revealed in his designs, which are still found in fine homes, 5-star restaurants, public spaces and corporate boardrooms… anywhere people truly appreciate artistry and fine craftsmanship.

Individually made and marked, meant to be loved and used for generations, Tom’s pottery was meticulously hand-made, one piece at a time. And from his simple yet stunningly elegant bowls to his extraordinary glaze paintings on porcelain, all are marked with his thumbprint to signify his commitment to his unique work and his connection to you, the user. As Tom’s exquisitely beautiful work continues to evolve, each piece came as much from his heart as his hands.

In 2025, Tom lost his battle with cancer. He brought an incredible amount of joy and knowledge to those around him and will be dearly missed. As fellow artist Tim McMeans said, “…the wonderful thing about being a teacher is that his legacy is infinite. Each person he taught will continue to pass on what they learned from him. And his art will no doubt continue to serve as inspiration for other artists.”

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