I want to make work that is multi-leveled, physically and conceptually; to be understood in a variety of ways. Ideally the viewer will recognize the flow and rhythm in the structure and surface of all of my sculptural and tile pieces. Visually, I intend for the viewer to move in and out of each of my pieces exploring the clay, glazes, their interactions with each other and the negative spaces within each piece.
The imagery I use is my abstracted vision of particular elements from nature such as leaves, blades of grass, flowing water, cracking desert and the wind. In addition, all of my work contains a combination of curved and rectilinear shapes that are drawn from architecture as well. The imagery on the surface of my work is created by applying glaze in a way that complements the structure of each piece. The glazes I use complement the orange color of the terra cotta. Often times my work contains variations of blue and turquoise to achieve this. I use black, white and clear slips and glazes to add contrast and depth.
I am influenced by the work of Ursula Hargens and Betty Woodman. Their methods of glazing and the structural qualities of their work influence my thought process and decision-making when I make my own work.
My forms are created using sculpture terra cotta. Before I bisque each piece, I cover it with a layer of terra sigillata to give the surface a uniform, rich orange color. My work is bisqued to cone 07. Then low fire glazes and underglazes are applied and fired to cone 04.
I create wall pieces and sculptures because I appreciate the different ways in which they deal with space. My sculptures have a physical presence that isn’t attainable in the two dimensional world. The viewer is supposed to walk all the way around and see something different from each side. My wall pieces combine different elements to create illusions in space that have a different presence than sculptural work does.
