2023

I love the range of surfaces and textures a wood kiln brings to pieces. Firing in a wood kiln is a collaboration between the individual artist and the kiln, as well as between all of the artists participating in the firing. This process has pushed me and allowed me to play, explore, and grow.

A birth of a new vision, a fertile strong mother smiling in the face of her mortality. She transcends this as a goddess that weighs her decisions and attachments against a feather. Many of the objects are from my family members, honoring life cycles, mythological archetypes, and the balance of dualities.

Functional pottery comes from a primal place: the need to eat, drink and commune with the cosmos. I love the humility of the soup bowl, drinking vessel, storage container; not reaching too far, keeping the body and soul going. Then, art can thrive.

Under was inspired by the real-life juxtaposition of a homeless encampment and a former historic orphanage on the Merrimack River. A former historic orphanage building being renovated into luxury apartments displayed an advertising banner that read in bold red letters, “Live Above it All!”. Just up the river was a well-established homeless encampment. I thought it appropriate to use my “Artistic License” to bring these 2 modes of living together in a sculpture.

Pondering what would be the least likely machine that would be powered by steam, I envisioned a 35mm movie projector in the Steampunk style. The variety of shapes and forms that make up a projector provided me a wealth of creative design possibilities. The film winding its way through the sculpture is an actual trailer for the movie “Kafka", starring Jeremy Irons. Somehow thatseemed appropriate.

On the outer cup of the chalice, the jaguar family is in the jungle. A cayman, the jaguar's prey, lurks on the foot of the chalice.

Primarily, I create functional, wheel thrown pottery in dark stoneware. Surface pattern and texture are a central focus. In many of the pieces, the pattern devolves. Patterns inherently repeat, but I seek patterns that subvert expectation, reflecting life’s unpredictability and instability.

My process of creation is a flow that builds movement, growth, structure, and interaction into each work. The piece becomes an expression of an experience. The rhythm of mark and form making are an active trance of intention. The finished piece often resembles objects that may be familiar to the viewer, but they may not fully recognize the subject enough to put a name to it.

Flowers are held in the space between what appears to be two vases. It is meant to surprise and animate the viewer, bringing a fresh experience to what we think we already know.

While the piece is on the potter’s wheel, I meticulously carve intricate porcelain forms. I use inspiration from ancient architecture to create contemporary forms that have a sense of temporal ambiguity. I use metalwork to create eye catching jewelry and vessels. The concept of a story held in the physical bounds of an object fascinates me.