CLAY SCULPTURE PROCESS

Sculptural Clay work was seriously approached around 1989. The main body of this style of work was inspired by a trip to the four states region of south western US about this same time. The purpose of this spring break excursion was to introduce a group of international students to some of the traditions of the America Indian by visiting some of the SW more prominent ancient sites. In the early morning hours the old sites took on a mystical ambiance that influenced the construction of this series. They further represent another form of the window idea.

Some of the other sculptural work was inspired by personal experiences such as divorce or an automobile accident that almost rendered one eye blind. “Brothers” deals with family deaths and brother/father relationships. Most of these pieces were influential in establishing the desire for historical references in future work.

You may notice further development of the window concept in “Brothers”, pictured above. After several years of working the idea the window shapes began to escape the surfaces of functional form in favor of non-functional sculpture. Some of these pieces were finishes employing low temperature firing processes others were high fires and sand blasted. During the 90's I also turned an eye toward the exploration of other materials.