Jim Sockwell

James (Jim) Sockwell
Sockwell in 2013
Born	James Alexander Sockwell [1] (1942-04-20) April 20, 1942 (age 82) Tuscumbia, Alabama, United States of America
Education	Middle Tennessee State University
Years active	1965–
Known for	Ceramics, Marquetry
Spouse	Sheilah Sockwell ​ (m. 1962)​
Children	2
Awards	Juried member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild

Jim Sockwell (born April 20, 1942) is an American pottery and marquetry craftsman who spent most of his adult life in Spruce Pine, NC. ^[2] Sockwell is a juried member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild in both disciplines.

Early life

Sockwell studied art at Middle Tennessee State University. Afterwards, he owned and operated Tanglewood Pottery in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In 1972, he moved his family to Spruce Pine, NC and opened a pottery studio in Gillespie Gap, North Carolina. ^[3]

Career

Ceramic Period: 1965–1978

Sockwell's Ceramic Period (1965–1978) is characterized by Asian-inspired design ^[4] and live demonstrations in Gillespie Gap, North Carolina. ^[5] He specialized in functional stoneware pottery that was fired in a reduction atmosphere. His pieces were hand-signed "Sockwell" that may also include a date.

Sockwell vase from 1976. Diameter: 6" (15 cm), Height: 6.75" (17 cm)

Sockwell vase from 1985. Diameter: 4" (10 cm), Height: 7.75" (20 cm)

Sockwell vase, date unknonwn

Marquetry Period: 2005 –

Sockwell's marquetry period started after retirement from surveying. He used exotic and native wood veneer to make realistic scenes. The woods were almost exclusively their natural color, but in select instances Sockwell would use wood that had been dyed. The wood grain was carefully incorporated into the design. ^[6]

Sockwell flowers. Wood with wood veneer. 10" x 17.25" (25 cm x 44 cm)

Sockwell bird and caterpillar on a branch from 2008. 10.75" x 9.75" (27 cm x 25 cm)

Sockwell moth, circa 2010. 15" x 13" (38 cm x 33 cm)

Artistic legacy

Sockwell art is routinely sold on ebay and etsy.

References

1. McGee, Donna. "The Marks Project." Last modified March 29, 2022. http://www.themarksproject.org/marks/sockwell
2. https://www.themarksproject.org/marks/sockwell |language=en
3. Marquetarians of the Carolinas https://www.carolinamarquetry.com/member-profile-jim-sockwell/#:~:text=Jim%20has%20been%20a%20master,on%20the%20Blue%20Ridge%20Parkway.
4. URL = https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/jim-sockwell-north-carolina-studio-485871534
5. "Blue Ridge Parkway". docsouth.unc.edu. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
6. "Jim Sockwell". Piedmont Craftsmen. Retrieved 6 February 2025.