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ARTIST STATEMENT
I was born into a family that use their hands to create things...crafts...painters, illustrators, wood-carvers, furniture makers & quilters. It was natural to be drawn to Art. I was always an artist, drawing with my sisters on end rolls of newsprint from the Independence Examiner, creating one-of-a-kind birthday card, building Barbie houses & furniture from cardboard boxes, tin cans , plus left-over wall paper. My real creative life began when I touched CLAY as an undergrad.
There was something about the feel of this malleable material, the smell of it as I opened the bag. The clay studio at the University of Missouri became my favorite space...it was casual, free from judgement, soothing sounds (clicking of the handmade kick wheels meshing with alternative music wafting through the windows to the outside where thrown pieces were slowly drying in the warmth of the sun.)
Viewers will see uneven edges and finger marks. These marks are intentional. As a handbuilder, I prefer the look of the 'hand', the entity that forms the entire piece. There is an intimacy to this method of forming...a personal relationship with my material.
I used to think that I was the CLAY's master, but CLAY is the BOSS. I think of CLAY as a living thing, with a personality and feelings. CLAY gives me permission me to use it to make what is in my head and what comes out of my fingertips. CLAY has saved my sanity & given me a creative outlet. CLAY gives me freedom.
I was born into a family that use their hands to create things...crafts...painters, illustrators, wood-carvers, furniture makers & quilters. It was natural to be drawn to Art. I was always an artist, drawing with my sisters on end rolls of newsprint from the Independence Examiner, creating one-of-a-kind birthday card, building Barbie houses & furniture from cardboard boxes, tin cans , plus left-over wall paper. My real creative life began when I touched CLAY as an undergrad.
There was something about the feel of this malleable material, the smell of it as I opened the bag. The clay studio at the University of Missouri became my favorite space...it was casual, free from judgement, soothing sounds (clicking of the handmade kick wheels meshing with alternative music wafting through the windows to the outside where thrown pieces were slowly drying in the warmth of the sun.)
Viewers will see uneven edges and finger marks. These marks are intentional. As a handbuilder, I prefer the look of the 'hand', the entity that forms the entire piece. There is an intimacy to this method of forming...a personal relationship with my material.
I used to think that I was the CLAY's master, but CLAY is the BOSS. I think of CLAY as a living thing, with a personality and feelings. CLAY gives me permission me to use it to make what is in my head and what comes out of my fingertips. CLAY has saved my sanity & given me a creative outlet. CLAY gives me freedom.
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