Hello, thank you for visiting. I'm a high school ceramics teacher and woodfire potter. Over the years, classroom teaching-while-making has come to be my comfort zone. Having an audience to share in the exchange of progression through form, idea and technique always proves valuable from both sides of the wheel.
I'm fascinated by wood-firing because it provides boundless challenges and opportunities for personal growth. Like many woodfire potters, our artistry is about much more than the fired outcome. For me, satisfaction arises from chasing solutions, identifying problems and recognizing the value in discoveries; shared experiences among fellow potters/friends are at the core.
I started out making pots as a freshman at Bethel University, St.Paul, MN January of 1989. Studying under Prof. Kirk Freeman proved invaluable as he shared ideas and methods generously. Thank you Kirk!
As I continued on my journey with clay, I found myself working primarily in the Minneapolis area. Eventually migrating back to the East Coast. After a summer as a production potter in Seattle in 1992, I returned to Minneapolis to be with friends, find my way in the working world as a carpenter and making pots in various warehouse studios. Having built my first wood kiln...one that I couldn't get past orange heat, in 1998, I moved back to Connecticut to my home state of Connecticut.
Here in Connecticut, I've built several wood fire kilns, 4 of them anagamas. Each firing experience yields a new breakthrough in understanding. Once keying into anagama kilns and their offerings, I've explored the world of natural ash glaze and flashing ever since. I've enjoyed getting to know the kilns while gradually learning about wood-firing over the years.
Now, a community of wood-fire potters has congealed around our process. Firing every 2-3 months, 5 times per year, we build upon each firing cycle and progress as an ever expanding group of clay people who find value in kiln-yard work. Each firing is another shot at finding our more about ourselves, discovering something new about our process and a step towards realizing our our creative potential. The sky is the limit!
I'm fascinated by wood-firing because it provides boundless challenges and opportunities for personal growth. Like many woodfire potters, our artistry is about much more than the fired outcome. For me, satisfaction arises from chasing solutions, identifying problems and recognizing the value in discoveries; shared experiences among fellow potters/friends are at the core.
I started out making pots as a freshman at Bethel University, St.Paul, MN January of 1989. Studying under Prof. Kirk Freeman proved invaluable as he shared ideas and methods generously. Thank you Kirk!
As I continued on my journey with clay, I found myself working primarily in the Minneapolis area. Eventually migrating back to the East Coast. After a summer as a production potter in Seattle in 1992, I returned to Minneapolis to be with friends, find my way in the working world as a carpenter and making pots in various warehouse studios. Having built my first wood kiln...one that I couldn't get past orange heat, in 1998, I moved back to Connecticut to my home state of Connecticut.
Here in Connecticut, I've built several wood fire kilns, 4 of them anagamas. Each firing experience yields a new breakthrough in understanding. Once keying into anagama kilns and their offerings, I've explored the world of natural ash glaze and flashing ever since. I've enjoyed getting to know the kilns while gradually learning about wood-firing over the years.
Now, a community of wood-fire potters has congealed around our process. Firing every 2-3 months, 5 times per year, we build upon each firing cycle and progress as an ever expanding group of clay people who find value in kiln-yard work. Each firing is another shot at finding our more about ourselves, discovering something new about our process and a step towards realizing our our creative potential. The sky is the limit!
