about me:

I am a potter making wheel-thrown art from stoneware clay fired in a soda kiln, or in a reduction atmosphere. These firings capture the beauty of a finishing process that is beyond my control. The process of throwing clay with intention and then relinquishing the finishes to the kiln correspond equally to the efforts I make to control my occurrence in the world juxtaposed to the joy one can find in surrendering.

My art is the vision I hold to create. The skills I continuously build are my trade.

I am working to grow and connect through my craft. I am striving to allow my work to grow naturally. I throw large cylinders and push or pull the clay to its limits from within. Often, reaching beyond a limit, or failure, is regarded as negative, but working in clay permits me to be grateful for the occurrence of letdowns; as it sets a clear boundary between me and my medium. Learning the capabilities of clay helps me to continually adjust my approach while allowing the forms to stretch to reach their highest potential.

The assuasive qualities of my pieces are comparable to the memories I hold closest. Like gripping a dusty orange basketball on a hot summer day in the driveway of my grandpa’s granary. I can feel the individual hollows around each bump of the ball. I wait to take my shot and hit the sun-beaten wood planks instead of the goal and then try again.

What I hold now is not a ball but a memory.

 I choose to make pieces that are held, but more frequently, hold items and are supplementary to the vessel. Flowers, ashes, and coffee are the experience. The vase, urn, or mug is only the vehicle for the moments shared between us. I use rolled, raised, recessed and cracked surface textures with shadowy blacks, rich browns, deep blues, pale yellows, and dusky reds to accent this process. The unpredictable behavior of my glazes and firing results reflect that the outcome of our efforts reveals differently when subjected to the regard of others. It reminds me to let go a little and allow the beauty of reality to make its way into the world. Allow reality to shine.

I want you to hold my pieces the same way I hold my memories. I want to highlight the earthiness of my work and convey a familiarity with a humble approach. 

My intention is that my work opens opportunities for others to connect to memories and feelings through having shared my own.