I have been mucking around in clay since the early 80’s when I took a class at The Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in the Smoky Mountains.  That was followed by several years at The University of Tennessee.  I continued my clay journey at a number of Recreational Centers in both Tucson and Denver, including The Arvada Center for the Arts and many years at Arapahoe Community College.  I have been President of The Arapahoe Ceramics Guild for 4 years.

 

While I do quite a bit of functional work, I am fascinated by the random effects that Raku and other alternative forms of firing create.  I am very particular and critical when it comes to creating my work, but I know that all control goes out the window when firing raku.  While you can somewhat guide the firing, most of the results are serendipitous.  You are at the mercy of the Kiln Gods. 

 The other variable that is ever present, is that by removing the piece from the kiln at anywhere from 1300 to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, there is a huge risk the piece will break simply because of the extreme temperature variation producing thermal shock.  As a result, no raku piece will be food safe or able to hold liquid.

 I love to push the clay to its limits – how far out I can make that wall go, how big can I make the platter, how small the little opening at the top – all the while keeping in mind  perspective, presentation and how I want to finish the piece.