Artist Statement
As an artist, I focus on functional pieces that are meant for everyday use. I believe that art should be held in our hands, and it should be part of our daily rituals of food and drink. My work is wood-fired, a labor-intensive and ancient form of work with clay. After the pieces are made, they are loaded in a wood-fired kiln. The fire is tended by hand. As its flames and ash interact with the clay they fuse the elements of earth and fire to form the rich and varied colors and textures you see on the pots.
My own kiln is fired for 20 hours to a temperature of 2350°F. I use wood from fallen trees and branches, as well as scrap wood for fuel. I also work a little bit with Terra Cotta, a low firing clay. While the process is less dramatic, this material allows me to create more delicate and colorful pieces.