What I Love in Ceramics
Since moving to Sedona, Arizona, my ceramic work is ever evolving. What I made a year ago is probably substantially different than what I may be making currently. This variety and growth make it a challenge to present a good representational gallery of my work. This page addresses both high fire (cone 8-12) and medium fire (cone 5-6) ceramic work.
I love trying new things and combining techniques. Sometimes I like to be structured and linear in my art whereas sometimes I love to be more fluid and unpredictable. Whimsy and the unexpected are qualities I enjoy in my work. Often my palette is as varied as the forms I explore.
What I Do in Ceramics
I produce both decorative and functional high-fire pottery. Sometimes a piece can be both. Sometimes an apparent functional piece is more intended for decoration. The hefty 12-inch pitcher, “Pitcher Imperfect”, is a good example of this.
I have made dinnerware sets, but I quickly tire of making the same piece over and over. I much prefer to make a dozen mugs and make each one distinctly different. Taking this approach encourages me to reach out of the box – often resulting in exciting discoveries. I find it interesting the endless possibilities that arise in a simple form such as a mug or tea bowl. What I learn in these explorations is naturally transferred to other forms that I make.
I enjoy making altered ceramic forms and cutting up forms and joining them in new ways. Most of my work is done initially on the wheel. Having done stone sculpture, I enjoy bringing sculptural qualities to wheel-thrown pottery. Throwing sectional pieces (multiple wheel-thrown pieces are joined and the joined pieces can then be worked on the wheel) is another passion of mine.
I also like to play with making assembled pieces including teapots, tall sectionals and whimsical pieces.
I seek to bring a high-level of craftsmanship to my ceramic art. My continued exploration of simple and altered forms such as mugs results in continuing refinement and craftsmanship of the final product.
Ceramic Glazing
I have not talked much about glazes. Most of my current high-fire pieces are fired to cone 10 in a reduction atmosphere. I am particularly enamored of Shino and Shino combinations. The transparency of Shino lends itself to slip decorating – this is an area that I am continually seeking improvement. My explorations include layering glazes, trailing glazes, use of underglazes, and use of stains. I love working with reds and oranges reminiscent of Sedona, Arizona.
