Crimson Laurel Gallery

Organic forms, warm colors and lively imagery reference a personal relationship to the natural world. Old painted wood and mossy rocks are the surfaces I love the most, while birds are the prominent theme of my work. My desire for my work to capture innocence and whimsy pulls most directly from my experience as a field guide in Southern Africa and growing up in the South. I also desire my work to hold up to a certain level of sophistication and technical skill. This balance of innocence and sophistication keeps me interested and eager for the next body of work.

The use of earthenware clay is largely influenced by overseas travel to third world countries and the pottery of indigenous people. This has instilled in me a value for the use and touch of finished pots. I want the work to be handled by the user. On my pots there are many details that can not be easily experienced with a cursory look. They reveal themselves as one turns over a bowl, serves food in a dish or washes up in the sink.

The forms are created using slabs with wheel thrown and hand-built molds. When the pieces are leather hard they are painted with slips and fritted stains. They are finished with a variety of cone 04 clear glazes. All work is food safe, though not ideal for the microwave.