My ceramic work is inspired by my love of nature.  The forms are organic and feel familiar without being overly representational.  Cascade, the first large sculpture below, is inspired by sandstone formations that have been carved out by water in the Southwest.  Metamorphosis, the second large sculpture below, is inspired by the forms of hydra organisms and the texture of the capillary network.  Hydrozoa, the third large sculpture pictured below, is inspired by colorful organisms found in the ocean, such as sea anemones and coral. While each piece holds its own as an individual work of sculpture, together they are connected in terms of style and form.

 

Despite how technically taxing it is, I’ve repeatedly chosen to work large in clay because it’s fundamental to my vision. The large scale represents the magnificence and power of the natural world.  Each sculpture took a substantial period of time to construct, and was meticulously hand-built from clay.  Much like the earth from which it’s derived, clay has a life of its own.  Clay will crack or fall apart, and often does, making it technically challenging.  Building large clay pieces is especially precarious and involves a great deal of care and control. Glazes were also carefully considered and formulated to complement the forms and to reflect colors found in nature.

 

When I work on these large forms, it is my goal to better understand and ultimately master clay as an artistic medium.  Simultaneously, mimicking natural structures in my artwork helps me further understand the biological function of these forms.  The intricate attention to detail involved with making these sculptures helps me notice details I might otherwise miss or overlook from scientific research alone.  From practicing both art and science, I have the ultimate source of inspiration to make artwork that has a unique perspective.  When united, the resulting monumental clay forms and glazes create unique sculptures that pay tribute to my adoration of nature’s beauty, diversity, and power.  The art works are a testimony not only to my passion for the visual arts, but also to my love of biology and nature.