7" x 6"

My current ceramic work continues to show the influence of the Northern California Indian baskets and the time I spent working and teaching on the Hoopa Indian Reservation for the past twelve years. Almost every culture has passed through a period of technological change from making woven baskets to pottery. The work that I am doing now explores that transition. Using contemporary interpretations of traditional basket shapes and designs, I am searching for a balance between woven materials and clay that is both natural and pleasing. Each of these mediums has a unique beauty that can hopefully be blended into something totally new and unexpected.

The Process

1. Stoneware clay is thrown on a potters wheel.
2. Pot is trimmed and a thin layer of iron oxide stain and clay mixture is applied to the surface.
3. Design is sketched on with a pin tool and the iron stain is carved away with dental tools.
4. A darker cobalt stain is then painted over the iron stain.
5. Pot is allowed to dry 1-3 weeks then fired to a low temperature (cone 08 bisque fire).
6. Bisque pot is then glazed on the inside only. Those areas not to have glaze are painted with wax.
7. Pot is returned to the kiln and fired a second time to a higher temperature (2400 deg. cone 11, stoneware).
8. Finished pot is sanded and oiled. Wood handles, leather, and cord are added.