Biography
Best known for his ancient-style clay pottery, John Kostelic's career as a potter came later in life. After serving in the U.S. Army and working in the construction industry, Kostelic's interest in pottery was piqued after visiting a family member's pottery shop in Montana. Kostelic was primarily influenced by the Celtic Iron Age and the cave paintings of the Chauvet Cave in France. He and his wife were lucky enough to go inside these caves before they were closed to the public. Here, he was able to see the beautiful, stone-aged cave paintings in person, and replicate it on slabs of clay. He maintained a master potter's studio in Dogtown, California until 1996. Upon retirement, he and his wife Shirley moved to Idaho where they currently reside.