Art as Education

I create strictly functional ceramic work. I have made sculptural work in the past but it does not scratch that itch for me. My work is only considered successful when it is in use. I focus mostly on kitchenware, specifically bowls. The bowls I make each have a purpose in mind while I make them - soup bowls, rice bowls, fruit bowls. I create work to fill my own kitchen and make things that I cannot buy. I make complete sets of plates, bowls, and side dishes all glazed in the same way. 

I glaze these works intuitively, I choose the colors as I go without a fixed idea in mind. Each piece usually has multiple different bright colors that melt together. Often I fire the glazes at different temperatures than intended, leading to unexpected results that turn out better than if it was planned. I do not glaze multiple sets the same way, each set is unique. 

I have started to branch out into outside the home functional works in the form of bird baths. I have 5 birds and all of them take baths in their water bowls. Their antics inspired me to start making bird baths. Bird baths are essentially a bowl with a large foot so creating this body of work is not so different from what I had already been making. These bird baths range in sizes, some are classic outdoor bird baths that you would see in a garden, and some are small that could be set on a side table or next to a potted plant inside the home. These works are glazed similarly to the rest of my works with multiple colors melting down the piece, however, some of these pieces are left half unglazed like traditional concrete bird baths.