The feel of the clay connects me to the earth. Clay is such a tactile substance; its feel is archaic and historical. There are many aspects and processes to clay work. I enjoy all the parts – there is a meditative quality to working with clay.
The designs and patterns in my work are influenced by my travels, architecture, building details and motifs. I see patterns everywhere... from the repeating leaves on trees to the stones in a stone wall. I am influenced by what I see in nature and in civilization – could be an old barn door or a temple wall. When I travel, I photograph everything and anything that interests me. These photos allow me immediacy and the capture of the moment.
The clay studio time is a culmination of whatever I have experienced on my travels, which could be a bike ride to the local vegetable stand or on the steps of some cathedral far away.
I love to work the clay, constructing with it, transforming it with fire and then using it as a form or canvas to paint on or draw on. Then I get to re-exeperience the joy of making each time I use it.
