WOOD-FIRED POTTERY
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I consider my pottery to be functional objects of beauty. My mugs, bowls, plates and vases reflect the many steps of the processes by which they take shape and come to life. I work with atmospheric and high temperature firing, so every piece is a unique and utilitarian object of art. My work is wood-fired for long periods of time, with temperatures reaching 2500 degrees. The resulting pottery has been kissed by tongues of flame! My artistic goal is to elevate the role of simple everyday objects (such as coffee mugs!) from pure utility to a source of abundant inspiration and lasting joy. Keep reading below for more info on the process and work!
My pottery is wood fired, i.e. the energy that is used to fire the clay is wood (rather than electricity or gas). Wood-firing is a labor intensive process that uses the atmosphere produced by flame and ash inside the kiln to glaze the work during a protracted firing at very high temperatures (Up to 2500 Degrees Fahrenheit!) Fine ash carried by the flame contacts the work and sticks there, where it eventually melts to create glaze, forming drips and cascades of sparkles! These amazing and unique surfaces develop gradually over the course of several days process as the kiln is stoked with firewood constantly, day and night!
The labor intensive nature of the wood-firing process makes it conducive to community building, as it takes a crew of potters to fire a kiln for several days and nights. During the firings, potters work in shifts sharing the responsibilities of loading the work, lighting, and eventually stoking the hungry kiln, while also taking turns cooking for one another, sharing meals and laughter as well as hard work along the way.
Much of my pottery enters the kiln with exteriors unglazed, allowing for the flame and ash to do the lion’s share of the decoration. Sometimes I use a little bit of glaze on the rim of a bowl or cup that then interacts with the ash, forming wonderfully unique patterns.
After 2 days of loading, 4 days of firing, and 7 days of cooling, the kiln is opened and unloaded. This is always a magical process, and an exciting moment to behold the contents of the inside after all of this alchemical transformation.
Every piece of pottery that comes out of a wood kiln is unique and cannot be reproduced. There are so many factors that go into this firing process, some of which are controllable, many of which we are unable to control. The weather patterns during the event, for example, will influence the draft that draws the flame through the giant kiln, whether it is dry or raining, high pressure or low pressure: these factors will influence the way the work is fired and how it looks when it comes out.
This unpredictable dance with nature is the main aspect of the process that I find so exhilarating from an artistic perspective. There are many artists out there who like to have control over every step of their artistic process. While control is a stance which I admire and respect, I prefer to release my work to the forces of nature, and the elements of fire and chance. I love to let go and relinquish control and am consistently delighted and surprised when I see what happens when the firing is completed.
When you interact with my work, I hope that you will appreciate the depth of feeling as well as the layers of work and process that go into each piece. It is my goal to have people interact with beauty on a daily basis, and to have everyday objects that bring joy and reverence into the home.
The extreme high temperatures make the work completely food, dishwasher, and microwave safe.
