Process
Pieces are either thrown, thrown and altered, slab-built, slump-molded, or pieced of several components — whatever it takes to achieve the conceived form.
Surface decoration is of primary interest to me and involves the largest portion of my creative time. My major decorative strategy is slip-carving and impressing.
My signature pieces are slip-carved at the leather hard stage. After the pieces are formed slip is brushed on. Designs are developed by carving away some of the slip. The work is then bisqued, followed by a coating of terra sigillata (made from earthenware clay), or a felspathic glaze that allows the carved designs to show clearly through. Occasionally I use felspathic or ash glazes in my work. Or sometimes pots are smoked in saggars.
All stoneware pieces are reduction fired to cone 10 in a propane kiln, including sagger-fired work. When I use earthware clay, I fire it to cone 1 for extra durability.