Tennessee The development of my work has been influenced by my years spent in the graphics community. As a designer and illustrator, I learned how to research and immerse myself in a subject so the work I produced felt organic and natural to who I am while speaking to the concept in an informed way. Years spent painting, drawing, working with color, and creating art in other mediums are now reflected in the clay work I produce. I came back to clay about six years ago and found its tactile nature captured my attention like no other medium. I hand-build large forms from drawings and throw on the wheel. I also work with low-fire clays for raku, pit and saggar firing and cone 6 clays in an electric kiln. Clay’s tactile nature captures my attention like no other medium. The ability to explore shape, texture and surface is so varied and exciting I am driven to continue to explore it. Built into the ceramic process is a moment in which an artist must let go and trust the process knowing that there will be surprises at the finale. I love the unexpected and the space I have to make for the clay to become what it wants to be not always what I think it should be. Saggar Ware These vessels were finished in a raku kiln using the Saggar Firing method. the word Saggar means container and was originally made of clay and used to protect the finish of a piece from debris inherent in a wood or coal fueled atmosphere. Roughly 200 years ago, potters decided to reverse this process and use the saggars to hold material near the pieces to dramatically change the finish. Today, in addition to clay, aluminum foil and some papers are used as the saggar. The chosen materials are wrapped around the piece and contained in an aluminum foil saggar and fired to 1800˚f. The saggars are then allowed to cool naturally before being opened. The final pieces are not food safe or water tight. Materials Ferric Chloride: rust and orange color Cobalt Carbonate: blues Copper Carbonate: greens, black, maroon, and reds Manganese: rust and brown Miracle Grow: blue Sea Salt: oranges, yellow, gold Banana and orange peels: blacks and browns Cabbage leaves: purples and greens Coffee grounds: browns and oranges Steel wool: greys and black Copper wire: black