Paul’s developing artistic interests were directed along practical lines as he grew up in Iowa. He received a BA in art from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington and an MFA in ceramics from the Rhode Island School of Design. The clay vessels of Eshelman Pottery order and dignify human life. Clarity is given to simple forms by contrasting glazed and unglazed surfaces. Pure clean glazes render elegant presentation of food and drink. The clay body is a red stoneware; the glazes are all lead free. Since 1988 Paul and Laurel Eshelan have been living and making pottery in Elizabeth, a small farming community in northwestern Illinois. They have three children who all worked on the pottery during their years at home