Do you have any tips or inspiring words for others?
I think the most important tip is to be yourself in your work. Don’t struggle to make something that you don’t want to make, simply because others tell you to, just make what you want to make.
Do you have a favorite artist? If yes, what draws you to that person’s work?
Jeff Shapiro, The rawness of his work is inspiring to me. I am currently making functional work, but I am also developing a more nonfunctional vessel/sculpture based body of work, and I am very drawn towards his sculptures.
Who inspired you the most to become an artist and start making pottery/ceramics?
Working with Bill Gossman and Mark Hewitt, and reading about Peter Voulkos. I started firing with Bill Gossman right out of high school, and he was my introduction to wood firing. My apprenticeship with Mark Hewitt developed my skills into the artist I am today. Initially Peter Voulkos’ work in magazines and books were what I was most interested in.
I think the most important tip is to be yourself in your work. Don’t struggle to make something that you don’t want to make, simply because others tell you to, just make what you want to make.
Do you have a favorite artist? If yes, what draws you to that person’s work?
Jeff Shapiro, The rawness of his work is inspiring to me. I am currently making functional work, but I am also developing a more nonfunctional vessel/sculpture based body of work, and I am very drawn towards his sculptures.
Who inspired you the most to become an artist and start making pottery/ceramics?
Working with Bill Gossman and Mark Hewitt, and reading about Peter Voulkos. I started firing with Bill Gossman right out of high school, and he was my introduction to wood firing. My apprenticeship with Mark Hewitt developed my skills into the artist I am today. Initially Peter Voulkos’ work in magazines and books were what I was most interested in.
Can you remember one of the first things that you made with clay? What makes it memorable?
One of the first things I made with clay was a slab built vase with torn edges. It’s funny because 15 years later, I am just starting to use torn/ragged edges on my work again. What's your favorite Continental Clay body to work with? I use Raku clay for my bigger pots, and Woodfire Porcelain with added materials for my regular clay body. The Woodfire Porcelain is a very good clay body for the wood kiln. What do you like most about working with Continental Clay? |
Continental is always so inviting to me when I stop in, and so complimentary when I see them at shows, I feel like part of the family.
What do you like most about being a part of the clay community?
It’s a very close knit community and everyone helps each other out. We have a lot of great clay artists in the MN/WI area that I can talk to, bounce ideas off of and just be friends with.
What do you like most about being a part of the clay community?
It’s a very close knit community and everyone helps each other out. We have a lot of great clay artists in the MN/WI area that I can talk to, bounce ideas off of and just be friends with.