Artist Statement
My ceramics can be found at:
1. Studio Gallery in Lake Oswego by appointment haaustinceramics@gmail.com
2. Sidestreet Art—Portland, OR
3. Mossy Creek Pottery—Lincoln City, OR
My ceramic education has been self-directed, taking classes at: community colleges, art centers, workshops, reading numerous books and surfing the Internet. The more I learn, the more I realized that working in clay combined science and art and I found myself right where I wanted to be.
Most of my forms are created on the potter’s wheel using porcelain clay. My crystalline glazes are all hand mixed and I often spray the glazes onto my forms. The intricate and meticulous nature that is involved in measuring and mixing my crystalline glazes as well as the mystery surrounding the determination of the appropriate firing schedule, appeals to my science-based education. Sometimes I feel like I am a mad scientist toiling in my lab, mixing up various chemicals to form the ultimate glaze and then “throwing the switch” to see what “life form” (crystals) will emerge from my kiln. Crystalline glazes can be a time consuming endeavor but the rareness and beauty of each ceramic creation makes my journey worthwhile.
To balance out the more intricate and meticulous nature of crystalline glaze work, I also decorate pots by applying layers of underglazes or colored slips to leather hard pottery then scratching off parts of the layer(s) exposing the clay body to create whimsical designs. I also enjoy using different tools to carve images and patterns directly on the clay.
*Crystalline Glazes * Sgraffito * Carved*
