Artist Statement

Artist Statement

 Water is an essential element, necessary for life and at the very center of creativity. Fluid and natural, the ocean waves and wind are at the core of my being and spawned my own creative expression. Most especially, ceramics are a reflection of my most inner self, and found their origins in my childhood, growing up around water with the serendipitous qualities that water and wind have. Living near the coast of N.C.afforded me an opportunity to benefit from the beautiful sounds of the Atlantic Ocean. Life doesn’t allow me enough chances to go back to my spiritual roots, yet the memories are ever vibrant. My art work emulates the movement and ever changing characteristics and qualities of the wind and sea. Frequently, my ceramics and sculptures consist of multiple layers, and personify my belief in beautiful craftsmanship. Conceptually, I develop pieces that have a rhythmic flow of composition and details. My current work embraces a gestural quality in the clay and painting. I do not focus on the trivial details, when painting or throwing pots. It’s more important to me that the forms themselves have a beautiful simplistic quality. I employ a common thread in my painting style that links nature and abstract. Once painted, I use a scraffitto method of carving the pots, which allows the clay to speak through the color. Going back to my spiritual founds, this combination mirrors a primal oceanic style. Often the pattern develops around the form through primary colors, lines, and shapes. The color is modulated using lights and darks of the same hue. Lines are either carved or painted black to describe the theme. The repetitious shapes are often small with a localized color to generate repetition around the form. My pots are sometimes similar, but never repetitious: each piece has its own fingerprint. 

All functional pottery is microwaveable and dishwasher safe. Ovenware you can bring up to temperature from a cold oven. The designs and colors change on a random basis. Keeping my work fresh and fun, I am not a production potter, but I truly enjoy pretending to be one. My first joy in life comes from my wife, my two boys, teaching, water, and wind. My art revolves around all my loves, making me who I am and making my art reflective of me. 

If you see a color scheme, shape, or form I do not have, I will be delighted to custom make one for you. Please understand that piece you have in mind may be a combination of what you want, but when it’s done, it will always be a reflection of me..