My first experience with clay was in high school. I had
an immediate affinity for this media. I had been drawing and
painting since I has old enough to be given a box of Crayolas,
but had never worked three dimensionally. I pinched and
molded, coiled and attached the clay together to create three
small sculptures.
Twelve years went by before I touched clay again.
The affinity was still there.
I was drawn to the interaction of the clay and my hands. The
plastic nature of clay is my first attraction…that I can
envision something and mold the clay to bring that vision to
life is inspiring. Even if the finished piece is not exactly
what I originally pictured, the clay and I have a conversation,
come to an understanding and the results are usually what I
wanted to express. There are always the disappointments and
the aborted attempts, but they are all part of the process.
I have heard it said there are two kinds of potters: mud people
and fire people. Some potters work with clay for the pleasure
of the material, while others are more fascinated by the firing
process. I guess that makes me a schizophrenic, because
I love both aspects of working with clay. I do primitive
pit-firing. This method uses the smoke and the fire to enhance
the surface of the work. The results are not entirely
predictable, but part of the excitement is to see how the fire
will bless the work. My work is particularly blessed by
wood firing. The forms I make except the flame and the
ash and together produce natural coloration and texture that
enhance the forms. When I use glazes , I prefer those
that don't hide the clay. I want the natural texture of
the material to be evident . The glaze should highlight
and enhance the surface, not disguise its natural qualities.