Pottery

Pottery has been my main artistic focus since I took my first pottery class in 1991. After 30 years this wonderful material still teaches me new things every time I am in the studio. The artistic freedom that clay allows is endless from the most utilitarian forms of bowls and cups, to abstract sculpture to tile.

My process for working in clay has evolved over the years, to embody my unique style. I draw inspiration from the world around me, especially the ocean. Many of the pots that I produce display the pallet of our Oregon coastline. Soft blues and greens , harsh browns and blacks all play off of each other and with the addition of the different textures it shows how the harshness of the rocky shore can live in perfect harmony with the beautiful ocean. 

Working in clay is very visceral process as you form the pot on the wheel you have to be in harmony with the material and push and pull it to do your bidding. The clay will only do what you tell it to, you just need to learn how to communicate with it. I also produce work by handbuilding with clay slabs. This process is very different and less immediate as the clay has to be in a less plastic state when working with it. This process is much more measured and intimate than throwing pots on the wheel. Thes slab built pieces relie heavily on texture, I love my pots to be touched and held, they are not just for looking at but must be experienced to be fully understood.

 I produce both functional and decorative wares with an emphasis on texture, form, and color. Textures can range from slight modifications to highly altered surfaces that need to be experienced not only by the eye but by actually feeling them in your hands. Form is functionality for its intended purpose, the piece has to be practical to use especially if it is a utilitarian ware.  The color pallete I use can vary but I love blues and greens that contrast with dark browns, and layering to give a unique look. I also use crystalline glazes as accents and in layering. These glazes produce beautiful grown crystals that seem to almost float on the surface of the vessels, they can be as small as a pencil eraser or as large as silver dollars depending on the application.