Artist Statement

Many of us function daily with pieces of ourselves missing. Some of us are destined to experience losses often and from an early age, myself included. We carry on from each experience as we reshape ourselves.  In a way, each vessel embodies this idea; the voids do not render them functionless but they heavily influence the reshaping of each vessel. I see each one as a reflection of myself, a reflection of my loss of family, friends, and fertility. I always try to find meaning in the voids created in my life by letting them propel me forward and embrace the experiences that follow. The most difficult moments have a way of revealing inversely beautiful energy.  I embrace the beauty of the voids in my pieces, which add to the piece by creating tension and energy as they interact with the surrounding environment.  Around this space is a momentum of undulating curves as if created in reaction to the void, just as our missing pieces create momentum for change in our lives as we try to assign meaning to our losses.

I strive to create pieces that push the limits of the clay, making each void bolder than the last.  With these forms, I find myself drawn to wood firing for many reasons. I enjoy having absolute control over the form of each piece but letting the wood fire process determine the surface. It satisfies my craving for occasional chaos and surrender of control by letting the many variables of the firing determine the final appearance. The curves of each piece and the opening of the void create a canvas that captures the many different surfaces of natural wood ash glazing, especially with the more dramatic side firing.  I find myself in love with the character of each piece and the story the shape and surface tell about each.

As I look at each finished piece, strong parallels form in my mind, from the most literal of wide curvy hips to the real and metaphorical trip through the refiner’s fire, emerging stronger than ever with beauty to wear and a story to tell.