For many years I have been steadily involved with the vase and vessel form. Inspiration comes from a vast history of world ceramics. From very early on to our present times, Greek, Roman, Chinese vessels, Art Deco and African artifacts have all contributed to my pottery and designs. Nature’s textures such as tree bark, plants, rocks, minerals and the colors of earth now inform and influence my work.
Recent new vessels are being hand-built using various slab-constructed techniques or they are thrown on the potters wheel. The pieces incorporate colored clay slips that are brushed on for first firing and then glazes are brushed, poured or glaze trailed on in several layers over the form. Pieces are fired once or multiple times in the kiln to achieve varied and different glazed effects.
The results can be rugged looking with crackled dry glazes or a bronze and black metallic. Using the minerals copper, manganese and iron oxide to achieve this on some of the pieces gives color with depth, a textured surface and sometimes a sparkle and shine to this new work
Q
How did you get started in this field?
A.
As an art student in 1975 I visited a friend at Alfred University where I wondered around the Ceramic graduate departments studios and saw so many incredible things being made in clay I became so excited at all the possibilities that clay had, I was instantly hooked.
I then returned to Massachusetts college of Art where I was studying printmaking and switched to the Ceramic department.
Q
Who is a contemporary inspiration in your field?
A.
I would say there are many people out there doing inspiring work, but much of my inspiration comes from traditional sources. Frequent visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art have exposed me to Chinese, Japanese ceramics, Greek and Roman, Art Deco and American Art Pottery. Even the paintings of Morandi who painted exquisite still-lives of bottles and vases have inspired me to create groupings of pots.
Q
What are you most excited about at this time in your life?
A.
After working for years and experimenting with materials and forms hat I have the skill set and knowledge to make the pieces I want and have the freedom to do so.
Q
Who is your role model and why?
A.
I would have to say my partner of 38 years and now husband William Crist. His dedication to his own painting and drawing has always inspired and shown me what perseverance and true dedication is.
Q
What do you like to do in your free time/outside of work?
A.
Other then going to the city’s Museums and Park’s, right down the block from my studio in Hells Kitchen is a garden “Oasis Community Garden” There I get to relax, communicate with my neighbors and grow flowers. Being involved from the start in 1982 I have helping to transform this abandoned city owned lot into a now permanent Garden that provides a green, relaxing and peaceful space for the whole neighborhood to enjoy.
Q
What are two of your most memorable career moment so far?
A.
- When I sold my first piece, a ceramic sculpture and delivered it to an office at the Empire State building.
- Having one of my ceramic pieces from Robert A. Ellison’s collection accepted into the Metropolitan Museum of Arts permanent collection.
Q
What’s your favorite time of day?
A.
Lunch time at my studio with friends
Q
Favorite city to recharge?
A.
Provincetown, Massachusetts in July and August
Q
Worst fad you participated in?
A.
In 1974 when Earth-shoes became the rage in Boston!!!
Q
If you could own a second home anywhere you wanted, where would it be?
A.
Upstate New York
