Artist Statement
For me ceramic art is magical … taking earth materials, combining them in unique ways, and creating something artistic.
People have been making artwork from clay for ten thousand years. From the start, they have shaped it and added color, texture, and design. So, their work wasn’t just functional. It became an expression of their humanity. Following this tradition, my goal is to carefully craft ceramic art. In the end, it pleases me greatly when someone says, “Wow. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
Artist CV
Education
Bachelor’s of Science, Communications (R-TV), University of Illinois, 1971
Master’s of Arts, Speech Communications, University of Illinois, 1974
Experience
I have had a life-long interest in art, starting with my initial college major in architecture. My time in college spanned 1966 through 1972, which was a tumultuous time. Somehow, I decided that architecture was no longer important, and in 1969 decided to switch my major to communications.
Still, I took advantage of local educational opportunities to study ceramics over the years. In the mid-1970s I took all of the ceramic courses available to me at the University of Illinois and learned to throw from Don Pilcher. Then after a family and a 35-year career at the university, I retired and started a second career as a ceramic artist. First, I interned with Michael Schwegmann in his studio in Champaign, Illinois. Then I took studio ceramics from Tammie Rubin at the University of Illinois.
Current Focus
I am currently exploring the general theme I call “glaze painting.” This takes the form of a ceramic platter framed in black. With these, it is my goal to make more art and less pottery. Nevertheless, it takes years of experience to produce a technically sound platter. Not everyone can do it. I love making these pieces. The clay is the “canvas.” And the glaze is the “paint.” Multiple firings are used to create varying effects as well as other media besides glaze. In the end, however, the clay platters are an excuse to create pieces with color and texture. Hanging them on the wall turns them into “paintings.”
