As with any masterpiece, the "canvas" is the artist's fundamental tool. Since 1989 Vogland sculpts and fires his own tile from raw clay, to ensure the high quality he demands. Envisioning something beyond the grid pattern formed by the square commercial tile, he began shaping individual tiles to fit together in an eye catching free-form design. A Vogland mural combines the best of painting and sculpture in a work that is dramatic yet eminently functional.

Vogland's murals come to life in the glazing process. Using hand-painting and airbrush techniques, the colored images are bonded to the tile with a translucent outer glaze. The tile is then fired at extremely high temperature to permanently fuse pigment and clay. The color is guaranteed not to fade or peel.

Unlike many ceramists, Vogland has mastered the unstable and often unpredictable red glazes and can incorporate this temperamental shade in a subtle accent or a bold splash; it's all up to you.

Robert James Vogland apprenticed under many noted ceramists. He holds a bachelor's degree in fine art and international business from the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington. As an artist, he believes in learning one's craft from the ground up, including the technical aspects.

Projects begin with drawings and concepts such as: