STATEMENT

My pottery embodies queer joy, gender identity, and romanticized stereotypes of my American Western and Texas heritage. I desire to create warm, comforting objects that hold a presence at the table, offering connection through the vulnerability of the human form. The soft forms of my wheel-thrown, altered, and handbuilt objects are accentuated with painterly surfaces The play of figures on plump forms imitate the body the ultimate goal of sparking connection and intimacy. My pottery is designed to bring people together through shared meals, creating space for storytelling, and fostering a sense of warmth and belonging.

I work in two distinct bodies of work, each showcasing my underglaze painting through different firing techniques - soda firing and electric firing. In both processes, I use selective glazing with wax to expose bare clay. Soda firing creates unpredictable, textured effects through flashing slips and the collaborative kiss of soda, adding unique, spontaneous color and texture to each piece. In contrast, electric firing allows me to refine the speckled stoneware, emphasizing the toasty color while achieving a tight, polished surface. Both methods enhance my work's tactile details, where underglaze transfers, sgraffito carving, and surface treatments invite exploration from all angles.