Wood Fired

This group of stoneware work was fired in a cross draft wood kiln for about 12 hour to a temperature of approximately 2345 degrees. Soda ash was introduced through the firebox near the end of the firing producing subtle changes and highlights in the glazes or slips. Because of the cross draft design, effects from the flame, wood ash and soda are usually more pronounced on one side with the other side being a little more soft spoken leaving a pot that may have been dipped in a single glaze with an array of colors and patterns.

I started my clay adventure at Appalachian State University in the mid 70's, moving on to Penland, NC where I met and worked with some remarkable artists and craftspeople. In the early 80's I moved backed to the Boone/Banner Elk area in the northwest corner of North Carolina where I set up a studio and produced pots for over twenty years. In 1996 after the Watauga River had washed through my studio for the third time I decide to take a hiatus from pots and concentrate on painting, which I had also been doing in my "spare" time and could easily in done on higher ground.

Eleven years later I had an opportunity to get my hands dirty again thinking I'd just play around a bit but caught the clay bug again.

My goal is to produce strong, simple forms with minimal decoration.

I wood fire a few times a year, giving me an chance to play around with different shape and glazes. Pots are covered with slips and glazes and fired for 12-14 hours to 2345 degrees.

I love using the wood/soda aspect of the firng as a means to create subtle effects that emphasize the strength of the form.