Unfolding

Clay is particularly fascinating to me as a medium to work with in creating art. It holds a raw, vulnerable beauty unique only to itself. It captures movement and touch until it becomes the movement. It hides shadows and reflects light until it becomes the shadows and light. It carries within itself an open mystery waiting to be unfolded.

Having the ability to use a form, formed by my hands, as a canvas for painting on is simply exquisite to me. There are few art forms that require the artist to posse’s detailed skill on such varying levels as ceramic art does. Applying the intricate brushwork on each piece is one of my favorite parts of the process. This is were the muddy girl in me meets the finely attired aria of a lady.

Once the glazing is done, each piece is ready to be fired in a gas kiln. The firing process brings together each step before in a crest of eight hours where the kiln reaches a temperature of 2350˚F. As flames twist through the kiln and around each piece of pottery, varying textures, colors and flashings of red within the glaze comes to life. This is the part where the aria of a lady in me meets up with the mischievous pyromaniac.

I find ceramic art to be a joining of passion and pleasure, intricate detail and whimsical nuance. May my art not be measured by minutes and hours but by the richness of the voice spoken through its soft lines and distinct colors. It is a rare art form that blends together the raw elements of earth, water and fire to create art that is to be touched, held, admired and remembered.