Artist Statement

In my practice, I am drawn to the ordinary elegance and simplicity of nature. I have an enduring respect for nature and the natural sciences. Processes that are tempting to the senses and the notion of pareidolia are intriguing. Often themes of storytelling come from documenting objects that appear familiar, but are actually random things or patterns.  Identity, transformation and the materiality of clay are intrinsic motivations for my creative process.  I tell personal stories that highlight the passage of time, and many of the works are self-portraits.  As an older artist, I see parallels in the objects I create and who I have become, both physically and in spirit.

The natural charm of terracotta is the center of my work. Terracotta is manipulated in hues of savory browns. It develops into rich oranges, even reds and burgundy under extreme heat.  I see these specific changes in color as something transformative and allegorical. Once filled with microscopic creatures, the clay is forever changed into a metakaolin. The microbes that once inhabited it are gone. The product remaining is a permanent relic of the life it once held within.

My building processes use coil, pinch and slab methods. Much of the works have finely cut porcelain tesserae embedded into leathery clay. These pieces are fired into the clay as an integral part of the surface. Playing with additional layers of cut glass, stone and tile, I arrange color with pattern and texture. Contemporary and classical mosaics are some of the cold finishes I use to enhance antiquity. Others are more contemporary uses of colored pencil, figurines and decorative plates. Mosaic is a technique born of Traveling that supports and informs my visual creative process. It creates a sense of place, hoping to relate my experience to the viewer.  Metaphors, myths and legends are narratives developed to personify ideas of personal significance. Beauty, change and degeneration are themes linked to my identity and relationships