Artist Statement

My work is rooted in the utilitarian pottery tradition, where functional concerns are paramount, however I believe that aesthetic concerns and functional concerns should have equal importance.  My challenge is to achieve a good balance between the two. I find great satisfaction in exploration of the process, material and form towards the expression of an idea.

To capture the plastic quality of the raw clay and reflect it in a fired vessel form and surface is my major desire and focus.  The plasticity of clay allows it to be shaped and altered easily. I am currently working in porcelain, exploring various functional vessel forms. I throw these forms on the pottery wheel and then alter them on and off the wheel. In this process, I find rhythm plays an integral part in the production of these pieces. Rhythm of the wheel, rhythm of the process of throwing and altering, rhythm of the interior and exterior form and surface, all contribute to the expression.

Music has strongly influenced the logical development of my work. Producing different patterns in the clay and surface is like hearing the interplay of lines in a piece of music.  Form and line within the surface establish melodic movement, texture sets a rhythmic mode, and color is used for the visual dynamics of each piece.  Using the traditional vessel as a source of imagery has provided limitless compositions for orchestration.

Throughout the years I have found the vessel is a satisfying part of my expression as an artist.   For me, a vessel is not only an everyday object, but also a symbolic one, which carries many analogies of form and function.