For me, working with clay is as much about the tactile experience of the material as it is about the final piece. Often, I enjoy the process more than the finished object. I like to hold a fresh lump of clay between my hands, run my fingers across the soft, damp surface, breathe in the smell of wet earth and imagine all the possible forms it might take. Clay is an extremely responsive material. Every touch, intentional or not, leaves a record of its presence. Clay is constantly transforming through every step of building, drying, firing, and glazing.
Human beings are also extremely responsive. Every touch, word, or action, intentional or not, leaves its mark on us. We are constantly expanding, shrinking, and transforming, sometimes without any external evidence. Questions and ideas about transformation are the driving force in my current work. I’m inspired by images of nebulas and super novas; the births and deaths of stars. These massive events take place far beyond most of our sight or awareness. We contain these same events within ourselves. I’m drawn to expressing these thoughts in functional pottery: Cups and bowls which we hold in our hands, objects we use to feed ourselves. We hold within ourselves vast universes, forces of nature, that we are capable of shaping with our own hands, and voices. One of my favorite musicians, Amanda Palmer, writes: “We are so much bigger on the inside.”
I am moved to explore that relationship between interior and exterior. I work to create pieces where there is either a direct connection between the two, or striking differences. I enjoy playing with opposing textures and colors to create feelings of unity or discord. My goal for these pots is to bring awareness to the present moment, to feel the bumpy textures, admire the vibrant colors and spark some moments of internal reflection.
Human beings are also extremely responsive. Every touch, word, or action, intentional or not, leaves its mark on us. We are constantly expanding, shrinking, and transforming, sometimes without any external evidence. Questions and ideas about transformation are the driving force in my current work. I’m inspired by images of nebulas and super novas; the births and deaths of stars. These massive events take place far beyond most of our sight or awareness. We contain these same events within ourselves. I’m drawn to expressing these thoughts in functional pottery: Cups and bowls which we hold in our hands, objects we use to feed ourselves. We hold within ourselves vast universes, forces of nature, that we are capable of shaping with our own hands, and voices. One of my favorite musicians, Amanda Palmer, writes: “We are so much bigger on the inside.”
I am moved to explore that relationship between interior and exterior. I work to create pieces where there is either a direct connection between the two, or striking differences. I enjoy playing with opposing textures and colors to create feelings of unity or discord. My goal for these pots is to bring awareness to the present moment, to feel the bumpy textures, admire the vibrant colors and spark some moments of internal reflection.
