Robbie Wyre grew up on the beach in Corona Del Mar in Southern California. His father, being a carpenter, taught him the basics of building. Robbie realized early on his fascination with "form" and by his teenage years he found himself apprenticing for a sculptor named George Hall. George Hall was well known for his large bronze fountains and gave Robbie a solid foundation in the art of casting bronze. Robbie was even able to cast a few of his own sculptures at the time, (above: winged boy and below, seated figure.)

He remembers his Mentor with fondness, recalling the day when George paid him to sit down in the studio and listen to the radio all afternoon- together they listened to the first American broadcast on PBS of The Who's " Rock Opera Tommy." He recalls George saying that it might very well be an important piece of Rock History and that he should listen carefully.

Robbie's next artistic training would come from professional potter John Scott. Robbie had met his future wife Barbara, who happened to have a ceramic studio, and became interested in learning to throw pots. He begged John Scott to let him help in his studio so he could learn, and finally John Scott let him in. John Scott made his living making huge industrial planters for malls and the UC School system - throwing giant bowls of 75lbs. of clay at a time.

After throwing hundreds and hundreds of bowls, Robbie mastered the technique and eventually opened his own pottery business with Barbara. Their business, called "Bits and Pieces " featured their own ceramic dinnerware sets, mugs, bowls, wine goblets, etc., all fired in two kilns that they constructed themselves. They also made brass jewely and tye dye clothing and had a lot of fun living in a very "Artsy" neighborhood.

Over the years Robbie has continued to express his love of form- his grandest sculpture perhaps being his beautiful house he's built with Barbara here in Covelo.

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See pictures of Robbie and Dollie!