Much of my influence comes from the ancient art of the American Southwest Mimbres pottery and the early polychrome works of the San Ildefonso pueblo at the start of the twentieth century, in particular, Maria Martinez. The colours I use are often inspired by those seen in the natural environment, such as stone and the flora and fauna in its many forms.
My work is hand built from earthenware clay using traditional coil methods. The coil layers are built up from a slab base, a versatile method allowing a natural form to slowly evolve, in keeping with the intimacy of the process. The forms that result offer pleasing contrast with the geometric precision of the surface decoration.
Layers of coloured slip are applied in defined geometric patterns that are, in turn, tempered by their sustained rhythms. The natural colour of the clay is incorporated in the design and is necessary to the completeness of the earthy forms. The concentric markings left by the burnishing create a subtle, textural appearance, recalling the essential qualities of hand built ceramics.
New for this year is the Monarch Series, inspired by the butterfly of the same name, involving those techniques of slip decoration and burnishing as used in my other work. It first appeared as part of an exhibition of artists' books. Decorated clay tiles comprise the covers of the book within which a poem, written by Ross Gardner, is read in such a way as to mimic the flight of the butterfly. I have since implemented this design with a collection of framed tiles.
The design, however, was initially conceived with pots in mind. The contrasting darker markings and the warm, golden-orange tones of the Monarch provide a most pleasing combination of pattern and colour. The flowing irregularity of the design provides a sense of movement around the form, delivering an air of grace and elegance such as would be found with the butterfly itself.