I've been working in clay for almost 20 years. I worked in the health field for many years, but realized a little later in life that though I enjoyed my work, I needed to work in a more creative field. I love to work with my hands and create objects which bring beauty to everyday life. Over the years, I was fortunate to study with amazing artists and teachers, including John Britt, Lee Akins, Mark Epstein, Leslie Laws, Chris Gray, Todd Hayes, and Ernest Gentry.
I primarily create functional pottery to add unexpected pleasure to an ordinary table. I often use the pottery wheel as a starting point, but feel the creations straight off the wheel are too rigid, which is why I now alter my pieces or simply use hand-building techniques to add personality and give the overall impression of animation. I incorporate movement into my work by using soft flowing lines, exaggerated handles and spouts, and adding human feet and sometimes hands to vases and trays. I glaze my functional pieces with both cone 10 and cone 5 glazes, which give completely different results. Recently, I've been using more of the cone 5 process to produce brighter colors.
A few years into my work, I joyfully discovered Raku. I love the process and the metallic results. Though not food-safe, and therefore not functional, Raku yields amazing decorative pieces that generally appeal to a different audience than the high fire pieces. I also enjoy creating decorative mask wall hangings in bright colors which those favoring contemporary décor enjoy hanging in their homes.
More information may be found at www.expressiveclayart.com
I primarily create functional pottery to add unexpected pleasure to an ordinary table. I often use the pottery wheel as a starting point, but feel the creations straight off the wheel are too rigid, which is why I now alter my pieces or simply use hand-building techniques to add personality and give the overall impression of animation. I incorporate movement into my work by using soft flowing lines, exaggerated handles and spouts, and adding human feet and sometimes hands to vases and trays. I glaze my functional pieces with both cone 10 and cone 5 glazes, which give completely different results. Recently, I've been using more of the cone 5 process to produce brighter colors.
A few years into my work, I joyfully discovered Raku. I love the process and the metallic results. Though not food-safe, and therefore not functional, Raku yields amazing decorative pieces that generally appeal to a different audience than the high fire pieces. I also enjoy creating decorative mask wall hangings in bright colors which those favoring contemporary décor enjoy hanging in their homes.
More information may be found at www.expressiveclayart.com