Most of my work is thrown on my potter’s wheel, while some pieces are built from slabs. After drying for at least a week, I fire them the first time (bisque) to 1904 degrees F over 13 hours. Then I glaze and fire them again to 2190 degrees F over about 14 hours, after which the kiln cools about 12 more hours before I can unload it. All my glazes are made by hand from ground raw materials, metal oxides and stains. At present, I am using a mid-range porcelain and red stoneware clay.

Pottery is functional art to use and enjoy every day. Clay is earth made permanent through pressure and heat. Ceramics is one of the oldest art forms. Archaeologists have uncovered human-made ceramics that date back to at least 24,000 BC. The first use of functional pottery vessels is thought to be in 9,000 BC, most likely to store grain and other foods. My pieces each have their own unique personalities, yet are related to all the pots that came before them, just as we are connected to the ancient peoples that came before us.