Artist Bio and Creative Process
As with most artists, my art direction and creative process is a result of decades of life events and experiences.
My appreciation of 'Nature's Artwork' came at an early age through family camping across the US, trilobite hunting on Lake Erie's cliffs, and enthusiastic descriptions from parents who were teachers (father: Earth Science teacher, mother: Chemistry teacher). The adult years solidified this appreciation as a passion to create what I feel and see in the natural world.
Most of my work is influenced by water themes, especially ocean waves. The ever-changing nature of waves, from mellow, soft ripples to storm-driven forceful action gives this natural phenomenon a personality. A personality which effects every creature it touches.
My work is meant to tell a story or create an emotional connection with the observer. To tell this story, my pieces include other aspects of my creative process. Driftwood, shells, and stones (agates and Jaspers personally polished) collected from the Oregon Coast are added in special places to produce a complete, balanced piece for the observer to enjoy.
As with Ocean Waves, my creative process is ever-changing. I am constantly challenging my own artistic skills and the nature of clay and raku. Pushing the boundaries of creativity effects not only my artwork, but also my response to human events. Redefining a broken piece of raku ceramics and finding ways to incorporate driftwood and stones in the piece, also redefines what is possible in art and in life. My mantra is: 'There are always possibilities.'
It is my hope that those who view my work, come away with their own sense of possibilities in themselves and their own creative process.
My appreciation of 'Nature's Artwork' came at an early age through family camping across the US, trilobite hunting on Lake Erie's cliffs, and enthusiastic descriptions from parents who were teachers (father: Earth Science teacher, mother: Chemistry teacher). The adult years solidified this appreciation as a passion to create what I feel and see in the natural world.
Most of my work is influenced by water themes, especially ocean waves. The ever-changing nature of waves, from mellow, soft ripples to storm-driven forceful action gives this natural phenomenon a personality. A personality which effects every creature it touches.
My work is meant to tell a story or create an emotional connection with the observer. To tell this story, my pieces include other aspects of my creative process. Driftwood, shells, and stones (agates and Jaspers personally polished) collected from the Oregon Coast are added in special places to produce a complete, balanced piece for the observer to enjoy.
As with Ocean Waves, my creative process is ever-changing. I am constantly challenging my own artistic skills and the nature of clay and raku. Pushing the boundaries of creativity effects not only my artwork, but also my response to human events. Redefining a broken piece of raku ceramics and finding ways to incorporate driftwood and stones in the piece, also redefines what is possible in art and in life. My mantra is: 'There are always possibilities.'
It is my hope that those who view my work, come away with their own sense of possibilities in themselves and their own creative process.
