From concept to creation
I have been working with clay since 2012. I fell in love with turning mud into something that could tell a story that could last forever. What a big responsibility it is to be creating permanence. I strive for greater refinement with every piece and to create work that can be of service.
Each piece that leaves my hands represents a piece of me, I put my heart into them. It’s a process that can’t be rushed and each cycle takes between 6-12 weeks.
My Process
Wheel throwing
All pieces begin at the wheel. I take a slice of fresh clay, smash it into a ball and then slam it down on the wheel. Slowing but surely, I raise the walls of the piece and define the final form.
Trimming
Once a piece is thrown, it spends time drying until it is leather hard. Then I put the piece back on the wheel, upside down, and I carefully carve away a crisp foot and stamp my maker’s mark.
Attaching
Handles are made by taking a small chunk of clay, dipping my hand in water and pulling the clay in to a tapered strip. When set up, the handle is then sculpted, shaped and attached to the piece.
Resting & Drying
After going through such a rigorous transformation, the clay needs time to rest and dry slowly to prevent cracking (and explosions) in the drying and firing processes.
Loading the kiln
After spending weeks building up my new work, it is then carefully loaded into the kiln one piece at a time. The kiln is stacked in layers with special high temperature shelves and posts.
Bisque firing
Each piece goes through at least two firings. The first firing is called the bisque in which the clay has transformed basically from water soluble dirt, in to a solid but not yet fully vitrified state. This makes a great surface to add the glaze to.
Glazing
Next each pot is wiped down with a wet sponge to remove any dust. I paint on three coats of every color and detail I want. Typically is takes me just as long to glaze a piece as it does to build it
Final firing
Once glazed, the pieces are loaded back in to the kiln, this time with consideration that no pieces touch or they will be permanently fused together. All my pieces are heated to 2170 degrees over 14 hours
Packaging & shipping
Once I unload the kiln, I spend time checking all my work for any imperfections. After I photograph the work, it is ready for me to package and to send home to you
