Artist Statement

My aesthetic has developed over a lifetime of appreciating, collecting and teaching about the work of skilled crafts people.

Painting

I primarily deal with landscape both representational and abstract. My watercolors often focus on the interaction between the natural and built landscapes.  I frequently highlight this connection by painting on vintage maps and on distressed paper that is stained with turf ash. Over the last few years, I have focused my abstract work on creating 8x8” landscapes on board “tiles” that can be assembled and reassembles to make larger “mosaic” paintings. I like the multilayered abstraction process and the interaction required between the work and the buyer to create individualized evolving pieces as tiles are assembled and reassembled.

Pottery

The core of my pottery is functional high fire stoneware. Most of the work is thrown and much of it is subsequently modified using faceting, chattering, and other methods.  While primarily firing in an electric kiln, I also occasionally utilize gas reduction, wood fired salt, and Raku methods. I am drawn to clean lines and geometry while seeking to imbue each piece to an organic spontaneity. That balance is a never-ending work in progress.

Weaving

While versed in traditional willow basket weaving techniques, I find the greatest satisfaction in combining these methods with my pottery and with turned wood. This is an evolving process that has few antecedents and is still moving in unchartered directions. I find that the willow, which I grow as much of as possible, compliments both the wood and the fired clay.  The wood speaks to me and largely determines the direction that the weaving takes. Up, down, in and out, the weaving branches off organically from the turned wood and colors of the willow complement those of the natural wood. The combination with the pottery is less spontaneous and every step from the creation of the thrown work to the nature of the joining and weaving must be anticipated. Hopefully, the end product is harmonious. Unlike my pottery, this work is purely decorative.

As a long time teacher I am interested in sharing my process and talking about craft and art making so please to not hesitate to reach out or ask questions.