For me, ceramics holds a potential that is not often actualized. Many ceramic artists limit themselves to one specific medium. I, however, feel I have facilitated a successful union between clay and vintage fabric. The comparison of the thrown pot to the human figure is centuries old, and was made apparent by my most favourite professors. This analogy has turned out to be the premise of my creations of mixed media pots of both function and purely aesthetics.

My process begins with the creation of a “naked body”, if you will. Something with potential but not quite fulfilled. Each pot is an individual, a body, waiting to be costumed or dressed. We present ourselves how we wish to be perceived through what we wear, how we fix our hair, and other seemingly materialistic tasks. My pots explore this process of “dressing up.”

I use mostly vintage fabric for reasons of both abstract and functional nature. It is important to me that the fabrics are recycled and reborn in a form that their designer had never imagined. Further, the rayon and synthetic fibers allow a little play in the placement on the pots. The bright colors and patterns I use are purely aesthetic preference. I wish to surround myself with color and movement, all of which my glazes and fabrics possess.

In a ceramics adventure that I am currently in for the ninth year, I have explored many different avenues. From the creation of sterile unglazed microscopic organisms made macro, to wood fired thrown and altered vessels, to now: a brightly colored party of functional and non-functional friends.

I have many to thank for my exciting journey in clay. I was fortunate to be selected for participation in the ceramics program at Louisiana State University, to study with master potter Charlie Bohn on Magazine Street in New Orleans, and to be chosen to assist well known ceramicist Alice Ballard-Munn at the Odyssey Center for the Ceramic Arts. I furthered my studies while apprenticing for John Ransmeier and Christopher Rumme; well known Western North Carolina Potters and Southern Highland Craft Guild members.

I invite you to pick up, play with, compare, and combine all of my pots. Please respect them as pieces of art: use them, yet care for them. Do not microwave pots with fabric on them, and it is preferable to hand wash functional pieces. Enjoy.