Bio
As an artist I have always been fascinated with clay and the vessel as a means of expression. All of my work is thrown on the wheel; some shapes are traditional in form and others are very contemporary due to the alterations made immediately after being thrown. The altered shapes are derived from what I find in nature and then accented or magnified. The clay body is a stoneware mix enhanced by clay from the creek bed behind my studio.
Whether the shape is traditional or contemporary, each piece is decorated with a textured design. The texture is achieved by applying an individual stamp or a rolled stamp that repeats the design in a band in the damp clay. Most of the stamps I use I made from the same clay or carved from other materials. Some of the designs are motifs that I have borrowed from different cultures and span more than 3,000 years, including: Celtic crosses, the Asian symbol of the interlocking circles, Mayan calendar symbols and (of course) several equine stamps—Kentucky favorites.
I finish each piece with my own glaze formulations, which are used in different combinations to highlight the textured designs and compliment the shapes. One glaze is applied to the textured areas only; a second glaze covers the entire piece. Then a third glaze is sprayed on top to accent the other two. My work is available in a wide price range, and pieces are dishwasher and oven safe. I always encourage people to pick up the work, feel it and experience its beauty.