Booth 812
(See map below)
About the Artist
For my work as a ceramic artist, I get much of my inspiration from nature in general, but more specifically from fungus, lichen, and various persistent growths. A large part of my work originates with walks in nature searching out snippets of these growths or signs of regeneration. The world at and beneath our feet is teeming with beneficial energy and communications and we are intermittently graced with its presence above ground. This small world is what I like to focus on within my work. I morph these inspirations into futuristic forms through manipulation of the clay, by using glossy glaze finishes, and by selecting colors and scales that stand out in their surroundings. My sculptural work incorporates familiar, yet odd growth forms that imply futurity, a continued existence. I enjoy creating work that consists of multiple components that present as a larger piece in their final composition. Sometimes that means several hundred ceramic pieces in an installation, which emphasizes repetition but highlights each element as subtly unique, as they are made by hand. A touch of whimsy tends to be present in my work as demonstrated in my submission OUT FOR A WALK-ERS, which can be arranged vertically on a wall or horizontally to make them feel like they are on the move. My goal is to create pieces that invite viewers from far away to come in to see details up close. I encourage people to interact with the work. My work stems from creating a personal connection to things that are living around me or that I have experienced through travel. My hope is that my artwork inspires others to explore similar connections to the environments that surround them. There is so much that we don't fully understand about the living things around us, and how they are interconnected to each other as well as to us. Those connections are what overshadow my thoughts, my creative process, and my art.
