About Clift House

Andy Clift creates art and wares from his home studio, located just a short distance from the Wildwood Trail near the Hoyt Arboretum in Portland, Oregon. Nestled amidst the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, his studio and surroundings inspire his art-making philosophy—a celebration of the profound connection between humans and the natural world.

Andy’s work bridges functionality and artistic expression, with a focus on ceramic decorative vessels, functional ceramics, sculpture, and water features. His distinctive ceramic pieces often feature his photographic ceramic decals, adding a personal and innovative touch to traditional forms. While he predominantly fires his work to cone 6, he also finds joy in exploring the dynamic processes of wood and soda firing.

Andy’s home studio includes a mini gallery where visitors can schedule an appointment to view his latest creations or sign up for his email list to stay informed about upcoming open studio events. In summer 2025, Andy plans to introduce one-on-one wheel instruction in his serene outdoor workshop, located in the backyard woods of his property.

Through his art, Andy invites others to embrace the beauty of nature, cultivate meaningful moments, and enrich their living spaces with pieces that inspire joy, creativity, and connection.

Andy Clift is an accomplished ceramicist and sculptor whose art reflects a deep connection to nature and the human experience. He earned his MFA in Ceramics and Sculpture from the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware, where he studied under renowned ceramic artist Victor Spinski. He completed his BFA in Graphic Design and Ceramics at Minnesota State University, Mankato, under the guidance of James Tanner and Roy Strassberg.

Born in Minneapolis and raised in Winona, Minnesota, Andy’s Midwestern roots instilled in him an appreciation for craftsmanship and creativity. He later taught Ceramics and Sculpture for 13 years at several colleges across Southern California, including the University of Redlands, where he inspired students to explore their own artistic voices.

Now based in Portland, Oregon, Andy resides with his wife and two sons. When not working in his home studio or teaching ceramics at Mt. Hood Community College, he can be found tackling home renovation projects, supporting his boys in their competitive soccer pursuits, and embracing the joys of family life. His studio work is a continual evolution of his artistic philosophy, creating pieces that celebrate the interplay of form, function, and nature’s beauty.

My work is rooted in moments when the world feels alive—when music vibrates through you or when light breaks across a landscape, inviting a brief sense of wonder. I draw from these experiences, along with the diversity and resilience of the natural world, to shape forms that echo movement, growth, and connection.

In the kiln, fire records its own history—each flame’s touch fixed in the surface of the handmade form. In the studio, I embrace mistakes as part of the process. Clay records every gesture, and unexpected slips often become openings to new ideas. These moments carry their own memories—of past work, time in nature, or earlier discoveries—and they guide how each piece evolves.

My practice is shaped by reflection, seasonal shifts, and adaptation. While the work sometimes nods to the pressures facing the environment, it also offers a place of stillness and escape. Above all, discovery remains central: each piece teaches me something unexpected, and I hope it inspires viewers to pause, wonder, and feel a deeper connection to the natural world.