Intermediate-Advanced (some clay forming experience needed)

We will explore different ways to create forms that work well in the extreme heating and cooling environment of the raku process. 

In 1981 I received a BFA in Printmaking from the University of Oregon. For several years, I made multi-colored linoleum cuts and sold them in galleries around the country. Almost all of the images in these prints came from doodling in front of the TV. They were all very brightly-colored and the theme was always humor and the human form.

Eventually I moved on from printmaking. I spent several years making paper mache altarpieces and diaoramas while I was living in San Francisco. During this time the subject-matter never changed, and I was lucky to find an art dealer who appreciated my sense of humor. I don’t believe that art necessarily has to be all serious; I have always wanted to make art that makes people smile and see the humor in life. I also don’t believe that a person has to have an education in art to look at something in a gallery and appreciate it; recognizable forms and pleasing colors and design are something anyone can enjoy looking at.

For the last five years I have been making ceramic sculptures, a medium that was completely new to me. When I was learning the techniques, I decided to focus on Mexcian folk art as my subject-matter, as I’ve been a collector for many years. Since I collected mermaids, I first decided to try making my own and had many good results. I then moved on to making Day of the Dead pieces, which never seem to fail making people laugh. All of the sculptures I’ve made are whimsical, brightly-colored, and very detailed; most pieces take around 150 hours to complete.

I no longer doodle in front of the TV, as my hands are always covered in clay and I work at the studio where there is no TV. I doodle while I work!