Ceramics

Legend has it that thousands of years ago, in a far off village, mud was used to seal wicker baskets to make them water tight. Suddenly, a terrible lightning storm set the huts ablaze and destroyed the village. The villagers returned the next morning to find the only things left were the fired clay liners of their wicker baskets and CERAMICS WAS BORN! Well, that’s our story and we’re sticking to it…

I have always been fascinated with the process of turning mud into a work of art–never thought I could do it!  But at one point in my life, I needed vases and decided it was time to try ceramics. Throwing was difficult for me, so I started with slabs of clay. Finally I decided to dig in and work at throwing until I got it. It took 3 years–major throwing retard! Now I’m teaching it!

I have no single style, medium or method. I hand build pottery, I throw pottery, use porcelain and rough “Grogzilla” clay. I make functional and non-functional pieces like my “air teapot” with open coils of clay. Sometimes my work is very smooth, detailed and refined as my Mata Ortiz-inspired pots, at other times it is rough and spontaneous, such as my “five minute teapots.”

Ideas for my best work come either when I wake up with a fully-formed image in my head or when I just take a hunk of clay and let it tell me what it wants to be.

Most of my pieces are unique, one-of-a-kind. Rarely will I repeat a design unless commissioned. Trying to find a specific shape or design? I’m happy to work with you on custom designs. I also teach at Studio One Art Center in Oakland. Please check out the Gallery to see examples of my work.

(Photo by Kent Sweitzer)