Ceramic Artist

Functional

Functional Work

When I create functional or utilitarian work I am interested in the long history of traditional ceramics and how different firing techniques change the mood of the piece. I first create wheel thrown prototypes for press-molding or slip casting. When press-molding forms, I enjoy creating highly textured surfaces on slabs. This texture softens and stretches subtly when pressed into the mold, further layering information. I do not stick to one specific firing technique as the surface changes depending on the atmosphere within the kiln, but I tend to focus on earthenware or wood fired pieces. I’m drawn to the lighter, friendlier feel of the earthenware and interested in the deep richness of surface on wood fired pieces. Each have their place.

Atmospheric work is heavily influenced by the physical process of firing the kiln. Wood fired work retains information of the combustion of wood and the settlement of wood-ash on the surface of the object creating surface variation and glaze. Soda fired work is similar in that a glaze is produced from the introduction of soda ash into the kiln at specific temperatures.

Earthenware is considered a low fire clay body typically rich in iron. This earthenware is fired to cone 02 which gives the surface a rich toasty red color that contrasts the white slip and underglaze decoration. All work, both earthenware and atmospheric, is fully functional just like any other commercial product.