Josh Nathanson’s Constant Quest for Texture

Stepping into Josh Nathanson’s studio in Stanfordville is like entering a sanctuary where the tactile beauty of nature meets the transformative power of clay. The space is filled with the earthy scent of wet pottery and the vibrant colors of botanicals scattered across workbenches. Nathanson moves with practiced ease, his hands deftly pressing vintage fabrics and delicate foliage into slabs of fresh clay.

“This is my studio that I’ve been operating out of for seven years now,” Nathanson said. “I’ve been doing some pottery on and off over the years, ever since I was a little kid.”

Nathanson’s Stanfordville studio, JRN Pottery, has become a haven for his unusual approach to pottery: press texture transfer, which involves pressing objects with distinct textures into clay. He uses a rolling pin slab roller to imprint fabrics or botanicals in the clay before letting the pieces dry and removing the materials. He then fires the pottery in the kiln at 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit — a process he has perfected through a blend of learning from others and watching YouTube tutorials — to create practical pieces such as platters, vases and large bowls.

Nathanson presses everything from vintage textiles inherited from his grandmother to botanicals gathered from his own property and from hikes. 

“Part of what’s exciting and keeps me eager to see how things will turn out is that it’s not always certain how the transfer texture will look after I’ve done it,” Nathanson said. “Some end up looking completely different once they’ve come out of the kiln.”

Nathanson’s quest to explore textures is relentless. He sources materials from thrift stores and forests, always on the lookout for new impressions. “Stanfordville is incredible for the access to trails and a huge range of biodiversity,” he said. “My husband often laughs because while we are hiking, he knows I’m going to say, ‘Oh, that would look good in clay.’”

Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Nathanson studied political science at Columbia University. After graduating in 1994, he went back to South Africa and worked for the new government of President Mandela, returning to Columbia five years later to earn a master’s degree in international finance. When he isn’t firing platters in his studio, Nathanson works — remotely — in real estate and finance in New York City.

In 2017, Nathanson and his husband, Brett McCormack, opened Gallery and Goods, a combined gallery and retail space in Pine Plains that featured the work of local makers and artisans. Nathanson also exhibited his pottery. The business closed in 2022. 

The couple have owned a house in Stanfordville for 20 years and lived there full-time for the last five, a move driven by their growing discontent with returning to city life after weekends in the countryside. Nathanson finds a stark contrast to his day job in the tangible nature of pottery. “It’s so tactile, it’s so sensual, it’s so engaging,” he said.

“Part of what I’m drawn to is my ability to escape the world and phone a bit. When your hands are covered in clay, you’re in it. Unlike the professional pursuits I’ve had, there’s nothing more to this than just creating something I find appealing. A lot of the finance and real estate world is very serious and external. This is not serious, and there’s a joy in the creation of it.”

In the early days, many pieces cracked or glazed improperly, but Nathanson has since learned the intricacies of timing and technique. “Every year or two, I’m elevating my craft,” he said.

A significant influence in his journey was Peter Robbins, a teacher at Supermud, a pottery studio in New York City. Nathanson handwrites his initials, JRN, into each piece, a tradition from his Supermud days. “What’s amazing about making one-of-a-kind pieces is that I can run into people out in the world who have purchased my work and I often remember the piece and my emotional state when I made it,” he said.

Nathanson has sold over 2,300 pieces and has many available for purchase on his website, He estimates that he has created more than 10,000 throughout his life. In his studio, surrounded by the tools of his trade and the inspirations of nature, he continues to find joy in the unexpected transformations of clay.