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Working with clay, I am reminded of the multifaceted connection we all have with the earth, both physically and metaphysically. I choose to begin a new piece by meditating on natural places and like-spirits working in clay since the beginning of time. This connection both sustains and humbles me. My favorite material is porcelain for its silky texture and purity. I particularly enjoy porcelain's reaction to the wood fire process. To create my large pieces, I build a substructure of very coarse stoneware with sand and grog to withstand the heavy layer of porcelain slip applied when the piece is dry. Iron and other minerals in the clay and the type of wood fueling the kiln create the color palette I choose to work with. The challenge is to capture as many different colors and vibrancies as possible. (Cedar Rapids, IA)
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