Robert Brodsky and Cristina Davila met in 1970 while attending the California School of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. They moved to La Cienega, New Mexico in 1974 (the Year of the Rabbit!) where they built their studio and set up shop. The studio and gallery incorporates much of the same charm and whimsy seen in their ceramic pottery.

Bob and Tina’s first collaborative work was a series of jackrabbit plates – a fortuitous choice! Bob explains, “When we moved here in 1974 there was nobody on this road. Just jackrabbits on this long dirt road. Hence the first pottery we made was adorned with jackrabbits.” Thus Rabbit Artworks was born!

Through the years they have elaborated upon their initial rabbit theme. The complex beauty of their surroundings in New Mexico has kept them inspired and excited about their collaborative work for over 30 years. Their ceramic forms and motifs are ever evolving and changing. Tina’s unique and expressive brush work has expanded bringing a variety of other elements to Bob’s traditional forms such as fruits, flowers, vegetables, landscapes, and many other animals.

The subject matter of their pottery changes with the seasons. On coffee mugs rabbit families sit around cozy fireplaces during snowy winters. During harvest months plates are painted with families of geese, ducks and cats picking vegetables and preparing feasts. Throughout the summer, when the gardens that surround their studio are in bloom, Cristina draws lush fruits and colorful flowers around the borders of plates, bowls, platters, jars and vases.

Robert hand throws each piece on a wheel. It is fires to 1,800 degrees, is then drawn on with an under glaze pencil. No stencils or decals are used. Each piece is hand drawn. The designs are then painted with stains and oxides in a wide range of pastels and earth tones. The pieces are then dipped in overgraze, and fired a second time to 2,300 degrees (cone 10). Cobalt blue accents add to the clarity of the designs. All of there pottery is dishwasher safe, microwaveable, and non-toxic.

Special occasions and holidays may be commemorated in the form of plates, bowls, baby sets, etc. Special orders may be made with just about any shape or design. Surface designs and shapes are interchangeable. Tina works from photographs and can commemorate your pets in a truly unique and special way. The “Character” series is a particular line of work that depicts rabbits at the opera, picnicking in the park, hiking in the foothills, enjoying pizza at an Italian villa, or having high tea in the parlour. Rabbits (or any other animal) are represented as skiers, golfers, surfers, veterinarians, chefs, astronomists… you name it! These make wonderful personal gifts. Your ideas are welcome!

Rabbit Artworks also creates made-to-order tile scenes for kitchens and bathrooms, as well as lamps, mirrors, and installable sinks.

In addition Bob and his equally talented son Cristofer have begun there own line of collaborative Raku ware. Rakkun Brothers vases and other vessels are also on display at the Rabbit Artworks studio.