This is a handbuilt raku piece that is 13" x 11.5" x 4.5". The lid lifts off. It is textured with a design on both sides and on the lid. It reflects all of the beautiful colors of copper

Fall Show Schedule 2009

Fall 2009 Show Schedule:

Sept. 26 - 27 Gallery on the Green
Matthews, NC ( Town Square)

Oct. 2-3 Art on Main
Henderson, NC (Main Street)

Oct. 10 - 11 Virginia Fall Foliage Festival Art Show
Waynesboro, VA

Oct. 16 - 17 - 18 Craftsmen Classic
Chantilly, VA (Dulles Expo)

Nov 6 - 7 - 8 Craftsmen Classic
Richmond, VA (old state fairgrounds)

Nov 20 - 21 - 22 Craftsmen Classic
Columbia, SC (state fairgrounds)

Nov. 27 - 28 - 29 Craftsmen Classic
Greensboro, NC

Raku Firing Process

What makes raku such a unique process? After a piece of pottery is placed into a special kiln it is fired up to 1900 degrees. At that temperature, the kiln is opened and the piece is moved to a trash can lined with news print. The piece is so hot that the paper catches on fire and burns up the piece. It is this post firing process that produces that moment of time in the fire that makes each piece unique. The colors of copper come from this fire as the copper is reduced chemically. It is a magical process like none other.

This raku lantern is 11"x 9"x 9". It is handbuilt with a cut work design. Also, each of the four sides have been textured to enhance the colors of copper.

Summer Schedule

Summer Schedule

June 12,13,14 . . . . . .Three Rivers Arts Festival
Pittsburg, PA
June 20,21 ... . . . . . . Arts Alive
Ocean City, MD
June 24,25 . . . . . . . . Whalehead Club Arts Festival
Corolla, NC
July 4,5 . . . . . . . . . . . Festival on the Eno
Durham, NC
July 18,19 . . . . . . . . . . Avery Arts Festival
Banner Elk, NC
July 25 - Aug. 4. . . . . . Highlands Festival
Abingdon, VA
Aug. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lazy Dayz
Cary, NC
Aug 29,30 . . . . . . . . . . .Seawall Arts Festival
Portsmouth, VA

Raku Wall Piece

I have been exploring a new concept for wall hangings. What if these were free of the restraint of frames and moved towards a more flowing expression in clay. What if the clay didn't have hard edges but instead took on the characteristics of cloth. Then, what it the clay was draped over a stick or something similar and appeared to be as fluid as a silk scarf. This was my challenge and inspiration! Here are some results of an idea in progress. Let me know what you think.

This is an update of my spring and summer schedule:

March 27 - 29 Chantilly, VA

April 3 - 5 Greensboro, NC

April 18 - 19 Alpharetta, Ga

May 2-3 Richmond, VA ( Art in the Park)

May 16 - 17 Norfolk, VA (Stockley Gardens)

May 24 - 25 Rockville, Md

May 29 - 31 Charleston, SC (Spoletto)

June 6 - 7 Frederick, Md

Passion and vision drive my creative energy. Art brings clarity to our surroundings and color to our dreams, enabling us to communicate on a level of feeling and innate understanding.

This raku piece includes amythests crystals. I love to include natural elements with raku. The crystals complement the colors of copper and combine to form a statement of earth's natural elements.

Spring Schedule

My spring schedule is taking shape. I will be participating in the following spring shows and introducing a new theme of summer garden party. Many of my traditionally fired pieces will have this theme. Flower container, park benches, tables with tea being served and a collection of small pots. Also, this year I am introducing garden container art which consists of globes on copper piping. They are inspired from the onion domes of St. Petersburg and are most interesting. I will be posting pictures of these on this site very soon. I will also have new raku forms and wall pieces. Stay tuned.

Schedule:
March 6-8 Columbia SC State Fair Grounds
March 27 - 29 Chantilly Va Dulles Expo Center
April 3-5 Greensboro NC Greensboro Coliseum

What makes my raku unique!

My focus is on personalizing the raku firing process through experimentation to produce a surface finish that enhances the form of each clay piece. My glaze, which I developed, is unique in respect to the reflections on the surface of the piece. The shine of the glaze combined with the warm colors of copper combine to offer a dynamic surface tension. Most raku has a matte finish and lacks the depth and dimension of my glaze. Often, unglazed areas which smoke a soft black, contrast nicely with the high shine of my glaze. As the light reflects on the piece, the colors of copper give a dynamic effect to the form, thus making a cohesive expression in clay.