Business Details
39 Years
experience
Handcrafted Ceramics & Art Studio in Santa Ana, CA
Established in 1987, Flying Cup Clay Studio has been crafting distinctive ceramic art that bridges functionality with artistic expression. Our work draws inspiration from natural forms, cultural patterns, and historical motifs, resulting in pieces that engage viewers through intricate decoration and whimsical organic shapes. With decades of experience in ceramics education and exhibition, we have participated in prestigious events like the American Museum of Ceramic Art's Ceramic Biennale and Modernism Week in Joshua Tree.Our studio combines technical mastery of wheel-throwing, hand-building, and casting techniques with innovative design, earning recognition through awards and inclusion in public collections such as the Newark Museum's Modern Ceramics Collection. As both practicing artists and educators, we maintain active involvement in arts communities through teaching positions at Orange County School of the Arts and curatorial projects that promote contemporary ceramic arts.
Services
Functional Pottery
Sculptural Art
Collectible Vegetable Series
Specialty Ashtrays
Custom Commissions
Details
- Year established: 1987
Highlights and features
- 35+ years of ceramic art expertise since 1987
- Award-winning designs featured in major art exhibitions
- Combines technical mastery with cultural design influences
- Active educator in ceramics at Orange County School of the Arts
- Works included in prestigious public collections nationwide
Services
Functional Pottery
Crafting utilitarian ceramic pieces that combine practical use with artistic design. Our functional works include custom cream and sugar sets, fermentation jars, and Tajin cooking pots that transform everyday objects into artful creations. Each piece demonstrates technical mastery of wheel-throwing and hand-building techniques while maintaining usability.
Sculptural Art
Creating contemporary sculptures inspired by Gothic icons and modern Asian street shrines. These works reinterpret traditional iconography through ceramic medium, blending historical references with modern aesthetics. The sculptural series explores spiritual and cultural symbolism while pushing technical boundaries in clay construction and surface treatment.
Collectible Art
Producing limited-edition ceramic works combining natural forms with intricate decoration. The Vegetable Series merges botanical inspiration with cultural patterns from Oriental, Egyptian, and Southwestern traditions. Each piece features hand-crafted molds and assembled components that create unique textural dialogues between organic shapes and decorative surfaces.
Specialty Ashtrays
Designing decorative ashtrays that elevate smoking accessories into art objects. These functional pieces incorporate the studio's signature decorative motifs and organic forms. Each creation balances practical ash-receiving features with artistic elements that reflect the artist's broader design vocabulary.
Art Exhibitions
Participating in major ceramic art exhibitions and craft fairs across California. The studio regularly appears at events like the Ojai Pottery Sale and Sierra Madre Art Fair, showcasing works to collectors and art enthusiasts. These exhibitions provide opportunities for direct engagement with audiences and demonstrate the evolution of contemporary ceramic art.
People
Randy Au
Owner & Ceramic Artist
Randy Au is a professional ceramic artist with a Fine Art degree from California State University at Fullerton. He has taught ceramics at Orange County School of the Arts since 2002 and maintains an active exhibition schedule. His work combines technical expertise with cultural references spanning multiple artistic traditions.
Questions
What types of ceramic works do you create?
We create both functional pottery and sculptural art. Our functional pieces include cream and sugar sets, fermentation jars, and cooking pots. Sculptural works include the Icon Series inspired by Gothic icons and the Vegetable Series combining natural forms with cultural patterns.
Where can I see your work in person?
Our work appears at major California art events including the Ojai Pottery Sale, Sierra Madre Art Fair, and Balboa Island Artwalk. We also participate in special exhibitions at venues like the American Museum of Ceramic Art and Orange County John Wayne Airport.
Do you offer custom ceramic commissions?
Yes, we accept custom commissions for both functional and decorative pieces. Clients can request specific designs, sizes, or decorative elements that align with our artistic style while meeting their functional needs.
How long have you been working with ceramics?
We've been professionally creating ceramic art since establishing Flying Cup Clay Studio in 1987. This represents over 35 years of continuous practice, teaching, and exhibition experience in the ceramic arts.
What inspires your ceramic designs?
Our designs draw from diverse influences including Gothic iconography, Asian street shrines, and natural forms. Cultural patterns from Oriental, Egyptian, and Southwestern traditions inform surface decoration, while functionality remains central to our creative process.
