Booth 109
(See map below)
About the Artist
I create artistic ceramic relief wall tiles that are truly unique and blur the line between art and craft. They are sculptural, textured, vibrant, invite touch, and are not flat. My tiles are handcrafted at each stage of a multi-step production process including the drawing, carving, sculpting, glazing, and firing. The result is a refined, dimensional representation in clay of designs inspired by nature. Each season presents interesting lines and textures. My careful studies of flowers, leaves, birds, plants, branches, and waves are featured in my work. I like the idea that my art will bring the outdoors inside – a concept that I appreciated during my years in Japan. There I studied traditional arts including the art of ikebana (flower arranging), kibori (wood carving) kitsuke (art of wearing kimono), sumie (ink painting) and kaen doki (ancient ceremonial earthenware of the Jomon period).
My process for creating always starts with inspiration for designs and drawings in nature. From there I create compositions that would be suitable for individual tiles or multi-tile installations. After I edit my compositions, I transfer them to clay slabs and carve directly into the clay, or I transfer my drawings to printmaking material and carve a large stamp. These stamps are then pressed in large slabs that I roll with a slab roller. I mold the clay from underneath as well to create waves and undulations that draw attention to the subject matter. The tiles are cut, dried slowly, bisque-fired, and then stained with underglazes. The glazing process requires several steps of painting underglaze layers, sponging off areas and scraping away as needed. Finally, a final glaze is painted on the tiles and they are fired again slowly. Larger tiles require careful placement in the kiln and slower firing/cooling to prevent cracking.
