Freshly Carved Pouring Vessels

It's been a goal of mine this winter and early spring to spend time making complex pieces. It is very tempting to make simple pieces I know I can sell. I've put that aside for now, in favor of having fun and challenging myself. Here are three pouring vessels I finished carving yesterday. They are all bare clay at this point...slowly drying under plastic.



















More process photos are on the way in the next week. And more platters. Stay tuned...

Coming Attraction

I am working on a new series of decorative platters. Ideas have been swarming in my head for months. I have been looking at lots of historic and contemporary art work in books. My primary focus has been on Native American art, vessels from the Art & Crafts Movement and African & Asian sculpture, pottery & masks. I've been thinking about personal themes and stories I want to explore in symbolic ways. It's tricky, scary and exciting. The platters will explore very stylized animal, plant, & human imagery with an emphasis on carving, texture, sprig patterns and bas relief.

This is the first platter I've completed to the greenware stage. I am happy with it as a starting point. Three more are in the works. It's too early to tell where this series will take me, or if it will be any good, but I am excited to explore a new narrative non-functional direction for my work.

Don't worry. I'll still make cups. And bowls. And plates.


An early stage of the platter.