It’s been two weeks since spending a morning with Joe Skoby at his beautiful San Diego home, backed up to a natural park. So many impressions have stuck with me these last few weeks as I’ve thought about how to put pen to paper. I’ve been left with many fragments of inspiration and appreciation for the person, work, and space that I encountered.

The Shoot

As I entered the Skobys’ home and shook hands with Joe and his wife, Cristiana, I was met with an immediate sense of grounded-ness and kindness. Within a few minutes of walking through the door, I had a fresh Americano in my hand and was deep in conversation with people whom, only minutes before, I had just met.

I told them how much I liked the coffee, and the next thing I knew, Cristiana had gifted me a bag of beans to take home for myself. Not pretentious. Not cold. Not that I was expecting that, but when you meet a respected artist and sculptor, you may perhaps wonder what their sense of presence will be like. What I was met with left me feeling refreshed and inspired in a very human and neighborly way.

Don’t let these sweet words fool you though. Joe Skoby is a seriously talented ceramic artist. His work transcends function into the realm of true sculptural art. The pieces throughout his house and studio show an acceptance of humanity, allowing the imperfect aspects of each piece to become its strength, much like it is with us humans.

I resonate deeply with his approach, having grown up in Japan and often been surrounded by the Wabi-Sabi approach to art and life—finding beauty in imperfections. We would all do ourselves good to find this beauty in ourselves and around us.

It doesn’t take a trained eye to quickly notice the tasteful art that lines the walls and floors of their home. Their home, by the way, has been photographed and written about by countless magazines and brands. It’s no surprise why. It’s a beautiful, peaceful, and artful space—a true reflection, as I found, of the family that inhabits it.

There are, of course, several of Joe’s pieces throughout the home, but it’s not just pottery. There are paintings, books, handmade furniture, and various other curious inspirations from fellow artists as well.

My hope with this shoot was—to the best of my ability—to capture who Joe Skoby is as a person and artist. A lofty goal, I am aware, especially in just a morning. But sometimes the power of a photograph is to capture not just what the eye sees, but something beyond the image alone.

We covered the interior and exterior of the house, walking about, talking story about life and art, and capturing images along the way. Our photo stroll eventually led us to Joe’s garage studio, where he has been creating his ceramic pieces.

There was no dramatic buildup or contrived sense surrounding his work. It was simply the process of a working artist—focused and flowing. The piece he was working on began as a mound of clay and quickly found its form as a large vase.

As I finished my final roll of film documenting the process, we quickly wrapped up the shoot so Joe could make it to his daughter’s recital. No ending could have felt more fitting.

Joe is a family man, a working artist, Surfer and loyal friend. He has worked at El Pescador Fish Market for 21 years, in fact. A loyalty scarcely found in our modern age.

I asked him why he still works there after so long, and he told me that the people there are like family to him. He also shared how having another job allows him to make art for the sake of making it, removing the pressure that a purely art-based income can create.

Art for art’s sake.

The ending was like a sweet cherry on top. Joe asked me if I wanted a wetsuit top, and he tossed me some pristine Japanese neoprene as he drove off to his daughter’s recital. Another glimpse into the generous spirit of the Skoby family.

One thing is for certain: this world could use a lot more of the energy that Joe Skoby brings to his life and art.