Process

Working with clay is all about timing. There is no other art medium as elemental. Earth, water, air and fire must be brought together with an awareness of how they will react.

When you work with clay you are recreating motions and procedures which have been carried out for millennia and while there are always new ideas and techniques the clay artist has to follow the rules of these four elements. It is when you have reached a critical mass of knowledge and a confidence that clay really rewards.

As a clay sculptor my process always begins with a sketch, quickly laid down with contour lines capturing the gesture of the future artwork. Once the questions of space, texture and shape are answered the pieces can begin.

The beginning is a question.

Designing and completing challenging clay work that begins life by asking a question of me and the viewer.

By using clay coils and slabs of different thicknesses and lengths the clay is manipulated by both addition of more clay where necessary and subtraction of the soft medium in the construction. The clay responds to the knowledge brought to it and the hollow sculptural forms emerge. The earth and water fused to communicate meaning. Then it is the air's turn to push the artwork forward.  Carefully, slowly and thoughtfully the water is driven off the clay and it moves across a spectrum of dampness until it is bone dry. The weather plays a part in the quality of the air brought to this moment and must be heeded. Patience pays off when my hand cups the surface and feels no water fueled chill. It is ready for the fires. At least two times.

The finale, in fire.

First to bisque. Transforming the dry earth of clay into a porous material that will absorb and embrace the multitude of finishing techniques: color, shine, ash, crystals. A daunting process that takes practice and patience to succeed. And even then the complexity of chemical, heat, and air rewards or defeats at the reckoning.

A kiln opening.