Artist Profile: Chuck Potter

Chuck Potter's life revolved around art. He had been an accountant and licenced tax preparer as well as a carpenter before meeting wife , also a Benicia arsenal artist.

The two met in 1995 when he fell in love with one of her paintings at an auction. “I wanted to buy it but didn't know her yet,” says Potter. The two met at William's studio after the auction and Potter left a business card.

Six months later, Williams faxed Potter an invitation to one of Sam Morse's famous blues jam parties. “Those were the days before email,” says Potter. The two have been together ever since. As a carpenter, Potter embraced William's arsenal studio which the two lived in for several years.

It's no surprise that Williams inspired Potter to paint. “She set up a canvas on the wall for me on one romantic evening. She had candles lit and we painted it together. That was our first painting together.”

Potter had been familiar with painting, but Williams introduced him to new materials and mediums. Potter began painting functional 3-piece screens, the kind you use to separate a room. “That's how it all stated,” he says.

Studio life was good but busy. At one point, Potter's three children and William's daughter all lived with the couple. During that time, Williams inspired Potter to return to school at Sacramento State. The two later earned their Master of Fine Arts degrees together at JFK and traveled to China to study art. Their trip happened to be during the 9/11 tragedy so they ended up spending an extra week in China.

Currently Potter is using acrylic, sumi ink, graphite and unusual mixed media like rust solution, marble powder, waxed paper, tar, teabags, jamacian root and beet juice. “I've been thinking of incorporating some building materials into my work.”

Potter's abstract style is dramatic with rich contrasting color. He is inspired by nature. “I love being out in the mountains but I like the clash between industrial and urban. I like the notion of man-made coming together with nature-made.”

As a carpenter, Potter takes influence from architects who work to frame nature within the design. “We saw that a lot in China,” explains Potter. “I like the architectural elements and mixing with nature.”

Potter credits Williams with mentoring him all along and the two continually influence and inspire each other artistically. They've been working to finish up construction projects in the studio so they can spend more time painting collaboratively. The two also host art classes in their arsenal studio. Students ranging in age from 9 to 89 get the opportunity to work with professional artists. “The studio time for us, is like church time. We are trying to show people how to get into that space,” says Potter.

Like his wife, Potter likes to garden, barbecue and spend time at their mountain cabin. “We are really best friends. With us, you get a pair or you get nothing.”