Influences


	INFLUENCES The influences on my work are wide and varied. I feel the strongest historical influences are the classic, beautiful lines and glazes of Asian ceramics. I have worked and experimented with celadons, ash, and copper red glazes since undergraduate school, and they continue to be my favorites. But each load of pots includes new glaze tests, so my palette is ever evolving and growing. One of my favorite forms to work in has always been the bowl. The dual concept of openness, as well as containment, has always been fascinating to me. Is the form
low, open, inviting, or higher, more enclosed, austere, perhaps less strictly functional? For me, the bowl is the ultimate functional piece. A bowl can be used for preparation, presentation and storage of food, for floral arrangements, to hold special collections, or for simply visual pleasure. As with any artist, many outside interests tend to find their way into my work. An avid gardener, I love working with a variety of vase forms, to suit the needs and various growing habits of different flowers and greenery. A beekeeper for 18 years, this influence is evident in some of my sprigging work, as well as the occasional drawn or textured honeycomb design. The decorative technique of sprigging is something I have used off and on for 23 years. All of my sprig molds are hand made, either carved by hand or impressed from a variety of found objects (antique lace, floral patterns on old silverware, etc.), and altered to fit my needs. One of my more recent motifs (about 11 years now) is the acorn finial. . I came to this motif from several directions. Creating handles has always presented a challenge for me. Having always been intrigued by turn of the century tureens with fanciful, usually nature-inspired handles, I began to consider this avenue. Another fact that steered me toward the acorn was that my property, on an 1866 map given to me by long-time residents of the area, was called “Burr Oak Farm”. I learned, from the burr oaks planted here about 15 years ago, that they produce quite large and very textured acorns – perfect for handles! The acorns I produce are one-of-a-kind, wheel thrown forms, finished and detailed by hand. Each is individual in form and color, as in nature. Since developing the acorn finials, I have begun to produce a wider variety of lidded forms.