My clay medium is luster stoneware, an area rarely pursued by potters. My artistic intent is to frame on clay vessels and sculpture the myriad gem- like surfaces found in rocks and minerals. Sculpture has become more important in my recent work, but clay vessels still play a part in my artistic efforts.
With a luster technique that has been developed with thirty years of testing, the exploration has included charcoal firing in closed saggars, the design of a double wall luster kiln, and various multi-fire techniques.
Thousands of different glaze combinations have been tested. Some of the materials include bismuth, molybdenum, tungsten, silver nitrate, gold chloride, and platinum chloride; all of which are very expensive and unusual in ceramic glazes. Currently the work is high fired and reduced on cooling to produce gold, silver, and copper surfaces. Some work is developed further with a fuming technique, which produces a rainbow effect over the luster surface.
I have avoided glazes and techniques used by other ceramic artists, but share the commonality of the vessel. Using my own techniques I want to stretch the craft of pottery toward an area where it becomes fine art as seen in my sculptures. As the glaze surfaces become more complex a simplification of form has emerged still using a great variety of shapes. One key element is always proportion with subtle changes that make each piece individual.
These brilliant pieces have been accepted in many competitions and juried shows. The work is found in private collections and galleries throughout the United States. Even though I have worked with luster for many years, the process remains very demanding. Too many ceramic works are still sacrificed in pursuit of bringing concept, form, and technique together.” | 
