Creative Process.
Throwing
Process is my main source of inspiration. Almost all my work starts on the wheel where the discovery happens. I enjoy the immediacy and playfulness of tool and material. Often while the piece is still on the wheel the shapes are altered and then redefined in various stages of the drying process.
Design
Many of the surface designs are created by a process called water etching. The images are painted on the bone dry piece with shellac, which acts as a resist. The surface is then gently washed with a sponge creating a relief. The shellac is burned away in the first firing, know as the bisque. I also enjoy using other techniques such as carving, stamping, sprigs, rollers and Mishima.
Firing
Porcelain is my most frequent clay of choice. I enjoy its subtle nature. It’s beauty is enhanced with the accompaniment of celadon and ash glazes that pool and break subtly over form and surface design.
Glazes are weighed, measured and mixed in the studio. Applications used are dipping, pouring painting and wax resist.
I fire my work in a updraft gas reduction kiln to cone 10.