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The textures from wood, the ripples of water rushing over rocks, or the warm tones from autumn are a few of the qualities referenced in my work. Using stoneware and porcelain clays, I create wheel thrown and hand built pottery. Carving and impressing textures into the clay lends itself to a variety of tones once the pots are fired in a wood or soda kiln. With each cycle of making pots, I eagerly anticipate each firing for the surface effects between the clay, slips, wood ash and soda. |
Cradling a cup or bowl in hand, I welcome people to connect with my pots through the subtle textures I have impressed into the clay. I concentrate on the fullness of a form, tonal variations within the surface, and rhythms that occur in the textures. These individual elements are treated similarly to how I observe nature. At first glance, my eyes are unable to focus on the variety in nature surrounding me. However, the little details are what I am drawn to, such as a leaf connecting to its stem, the softness of a seed enclosed in its shell, or the patterns of filtered light. These small components in nature that reveal such variations are what I feel bring vitality and energy to my life. It is my hope that by bringing these details into closer view, each pot I have created will possess the energy and insights I gather from my surroundings. |
I currently work with stoneware and porcelain clays. After each form is complete, when the semi-dry clay is leatherhard, the pieces are each dipped into flashing slips. These thin clay slips will react to the soda vapors in the final firing. Once the pots are bone dry, they are bisque fired, glazed, wadded, sprayed with wood ash, and loaded into the kiln. I fire to Cone 10 in a gas fueled cross draft soda kiln. During the end of the firing, a soda ash solution is sprayed into the kiln, which vaporizes, travels throughout the kiln, and lands on the pottery. The soda acts as a glaze on the pots, creating variation and directional tones within the clay surfaces. After the firing, the pots are lightly sanded to smooth out wadding marks and soda. I weave basket reed into a handle to fit on the jars, teapots and decorative baskets. |
About the process |