Toucan Pitcher

For this project, Sterling Brown builds a gigantic vessel by throwing two large bowls, which are then joined together to form the main body. Once assembled, the excess rim is cut in a V-shape and stitched back together, creating a clear directional form—one side becoming the face, the other forming the back (butt) of the toucan.

From this base, Sterling pulls an extra-long handle to form the beak, pushing scale, balance, and structural limits.

After the primary form is established, Naomi Nishimura defines the character of the piece—drawing out the outlines of the face and body before moving into slip work to enhance feathers and surface details.

This project required two full prototypes to fully understand how to make the form clearly read as a bird. Multiple approaches to expressing feathers were tested, exploring different textures and rhythms to balance abstraction with identity.

The Toucan Pitcher is being created as a gift to Mama Toucan, celebrating Costa Rica’s regional mascot and showcasing our design exploration rooted in local clay and place.

The project is still in production, with an estimated completion in February.