ABOUT
Lynn Mahon, a Sonoma County native, infuses life into clay from his studio in Napa Valley. His artistic odyssey began at Sierra Nevada College and the Penryn Workshop, where he honed the ancient craft of wood kiln firing. In his San Francisco studio, Mahon delved into the fluid dynamics of Raku before returning to Napa, where he began creating monumental sculptures in a gas kiln, some weighing nearly six hundred pounds and exuding a striking physicality.
In 2005, Mahon broadened his artistic horizon to include functional designs, meticulously crafting exquisite dinnerware in close collaboration with renowned chefs. His creations adorn the tables of celebrated restaurants such as Mourad in San Francisco, The Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley, The Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, Hana Japanese Restaurant in Rohnert Park, Michael Warring in Vallejo, Taylor Maid Farms in Sebastopol, Vintage Cave Honolulu, and Kapnos in Washington, D.C.
Mahon's art is an intensely physical process; his large-scale sculptures unfold with the grace of a dance, while his functional pieces emerge with the discipline of a sport. His artistic philosophy seamlessly weaves California craft with Japanese Zen, characterized by a delicate touch, simplicity, and a profound reverence for natural materials and forms. Represented by Jiun Ho in San Francisco, Mahon's work has also been showcased by the American Craft Council. His creations have earned acclaim in esteemed publications such as A New Napa Cuisine, 7×7 magazine, and Bon Appétit.
Lynn Mahon, a native of Sonoma County, breathes life into clay from his studio perched on the scenic ridge of the Mayacamas Mountains, straddling the border between Napa and Sonoma counties. His artistic journey began at Sierra Nevada College and the Penryn Workshop, where he mastered the ancient craft of wood kiln firing. After a period of exploring the fluid dynamics of Raku in his San Francisco studio, Mahon returned to Napa, delving into the creation of monumental sculptures fired in a gas kiln, some of which embody a striking physicality, weighing nearly six hundred pounds.
In 2005, Mahon expanded his artistic repertoire to include functional designs, crafting exquisite dinnerware through deep collaborations with renowned chefs. His creations grace the tables of celebrated restaurants such as Mourad in San Francisco, The Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley, Hana Japanese Restaurant in Rohnert Park, Michael Warring in Vallejo, Taylor Maid Farms in Sebastopol, Vintage Cave Honolulu, and Kapnos in Washington, D.C.
Mahon's approach to art is deeply physical; his large-scale sculptures unfold like a dance, while his functional pieces emerge through the rigor of a sport. His artistic philosophy is a harmonious blend of California craft and Japanese Zen, characterized by a lightness of touch, simplicity, and a profound respect for natural materials and forms. Represented by Jiun Ho in San Francisco, Grandhand Gallery in Napa, and Bump Wine Cellars in Sonoma, Mahon's work has also been showcased by the American Craft Council. His creations have garnered acclaim in prestigious publications such as A New Napa Cuisine, 7×7 magazine, and Bon Appétit.