Nature: Ceramics 2020

          In the time of COVID19, nature is bouncing back in small fits of activism. Cleaner waterways and less populated forests are embracing spring as they are supposed to. These sculptures reflects nature producing again. While spending time outside, forest bathing per say, is therapeutic, human wreak havoc on the natural landscape. Spending time quarantined inside is quite different from the wonder of outdoors. These sculptures describe longing for the outdoor world, during a time of inside isolation. 

Shelter to Feed, Purple Playdough, 4"x 3"x 1"

Artist Statement

          Inspired by the texture and visual weight of the black walnut shell, I created Shelter to Feed. I began by rolling out playdough to then press into the ridged texture of the black walnut shell. With the thinner slabs, I pinched the edges together to form open vessels. These open vessels spill out small thick press molded walnut gems. The walnut producing walnut reflects the life source that is nourishing food. This particular black walnut, that the sculpture is based on, is from Western North Carolina. The black walnut is a foraged food in this region. Shelter to Feed, with its open vessel shape, mimics the negative space of where the walnut used to be inside the shell. There are many walnuts in this world that leave traces of their pressence once they are eaten. May these homes not be forgotten. 

Stone's Throw, Blue Playdough, 2"x 3"x 2"

Goliath, Purple and Blue Playdough, 5"x 2"x 1"

Mossy Formations, Purple Playdough 1"x 2"x 1"

Artist Statement

             Mossy Formations mimics the speckled texture of an amalgamate orange rock. I discovered this geological specimen several years ago in Moon Flower Canyon, Utah. The popcorn texture is reminiscent of coral cave formations. The rock's comprised layers are unsettling. Mossy Formations references the strange combination of differing textures to form a whole. Three-fourths of the sculpture is covered in ragged texture that was created with the split end of a stick. The other fourth was smoothed with a finger. These opposing textures cover one structure that blends from one surface to the next. 

Filers/Glazes