Artistic Statement

Other than making a mess and getting covered head to toe in mud, I make pots because I enjoy exploring and creating new shapes on the wheel.  While many potters specialize in certain techniques like decorative carving, painting, or glazing, I focus on shape as my primary artistic expression.  I use glazing and decoration to emphasize or embolden the overall form of each piece.  

Handles on mugs were where I developed my first signature shape, a pinched handle.  I found this shape to be not only expressive but ergonomic and comfortable.  I have expanded my use of this pinched technique to handles on jugs and teapots and I have planned exploration using the handle on several kinds of vases.

More recently I have been working on textured pieces which capture part of the throwing process.  By creating vertical lines to columns and then shaping the piece from top to bottom the straight vertical lines swirl capturing movement into the texture as the piece comes into its final shape.  I plan to continue using this technique and more to find ways to capture parts of the making process into the shapes I make, as for me, that is where all the fun happens!