Prior to beginning construction of my ceramic sculptures, I create a maquette or small 3-D model. The maquettes are sculpted in solid clay using both additive and subtractive processes. Each maquette is designed from drawings, photos, or direct observation of a live model. The maquette serves as a three-dimensional guide during the construction of the final form; I use a ratio and take measurements to maintain desired proportions.

My sculptures are created using the traditional ceramic process of coil construction. I hand roll coils or ropes of clay and build in concentric rings from the bottom to the top of each form. I build height slowly, allowing the lower coils to become leather hard or nearly rigid to support the weight of additional coils. The sculptures are hollow and free of armatures; in some of the more complex forms, internal clay buttressing is added to support additional weight. No molds are ever used.

As I build my sculptures, I continually smooth the surface and refine the contours of the form. Clay has a seductive malleability and an elasticity that allows me to stretch and shape forms in an intuitive manner. I work with a low fire white clay body fired to cone 04, approximately 1945 degrees F. I choose to leave the clay raw and add no glazes or stains to the surface. I hope the resulting, smoothly undulating sculptures provoke a sensory awareness and create a desire to interact with the forms in a tactile manner.

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