Kittery, Maine

The medium of clay allows me to take
the simple elements of earth and water
I like the idea of capturing a specific moment in time by freezing the flame mark with water. It is really tricky to freeze at the right moment. If the pot is too hot it cracks. If the pot is too cool the glaze looks boringand transform them. If it’s just the right temperature the glaze effect can be magical.

Raku is a sixteenth century Japanese firing process involving firing pieces to 1850 degrees, pulling them out of the kiln with tongs and then placing them in combustibles such as straw or sawdust. each piece with smoke, which changes the chemical composition of the glazes by creating a “reducing” environment. This “reduction” changes the glaze, while turning any bare clay jet black. As smoke penetrates the piece it enters the tiny array of cracks turning them black. Because of the unique Raku process, no two pieces will be the same.