-
General Techniques
I create decorative, non-functional pottery that is hand built using a very ancient coiling method, and depending on the size, design and finish, these pots can take anywhere from three to more than 12 hours to complete. Using a kiln and special techniques, I'm able to replicate outdoor pit firing results similar to those from the American Southwest and Mexico.
My pots are hand polished rather than glazed, producing a very unique finish and enhancing the natural beauty of the clay. Polished or burnished pottery is not nearly as common as glazed work, which is used to add color. Because I hand polish or burnish my pottery, I use a low fire clay that is very smooth. And, in order to achieve a very high gloss polish on my black or red pots, I produce my own clay. My pottery is purely decorative and cannot hold water.
-
Black Pottery
I fire pots in my kiln using a reduction technique that replicates the pit firing method used in Mexico and the pueblos of the American southwest. The pots are placed inside an oil drum in the kiln with sawdust. I fire the kiln to about 1500 degrees, which burns the sawdust and evenly blackens the pottery inside and out.
-
Horsehair Pottery
After an initial oxidation fire in the kiln, the pot is placed in an oil drum in an outdoor pit fire. Once the pot is heated to an excess of 800 degrees, it is removed from the fire and I quickly apply single strands of horse hair, which singe random “lightning strike” lines on the pot.
-
Textured Pottery
I enjoy experimenting and using a variety of texture techniques on pottery. I use metal blades with a variety of tips to incise a number of patterns. Other textures include deep carving, rough (volcanic) and hammered.
-
Pottery with Accents
Once a pot is complete, I may attach accents such as artificial sinew, shaved agates, semi-precious cabochon stones, porcupine quills and beads. Additionally, many of my wall hangings include materials such as: Copper, rusted steel, stainless steel, leather, wire and braising rods.
