Welcome! I’m Melita Gill, owner and primary artist. I run Rakumoose Studio with the help of my husband, Jim and daughter Cassie. We live and work in Western New York.
I took my first textile class in the late 1970’s at the Rochester Museum and Science Center. It was a tatting class. I had no idea what it was, but it sounded interesting. I still pick up a shuttle every now and then. About 10 years later, I took my first weaving class at a nearby yarn and weaving shop. Around this same time I also decided to try my hand at pottery which quickly became my first love. For several years I audited ceramic classes through RIT’s continuing education program. It was there where I was introduced to Raku, which became my primary pottery technique.
Several years later I earned a degree in art studio from SUNY Geneseo. I already had my pottery studio set up in my home so, I concentrated in textiles, which introduced me to many fiber art techniques. But, it was classes in anthropology that forever changed my artwork. I became fascinated in prehistoric artifacts and symbols inspiring my pottery. I began combining clay and fiber arts in raku-fired masks and vessels embellished with fibers, beads, feathers, and small weavings.
I continue to take classes and workshops in pottery, fiber techniques, and anything else that catches my fancy including wire weaving working and bookbinding. I believe it’s important to be open to new learning experiences from many sources.
Jim is my all-around assistant. He helps with most aspects of my raku firings.
Cassie is an artist in her own right. She is a musician and has earned an MA in ethnomusicology. She also makes beautiful chain maille jewelry. She will have her own gallery on this site soon.