In addition to being lead-free, our pottery is oven, dishwasher and
micro-wave safe.
I hand-paint my pots using traditional ceramic colorants: cobalt, iron, chrome and rutile, as well as commercial red and black stains. I use some commercial sumi-e brushes for color and shading, but most of the drawing is done with brushes that I make myself.
I still have some of my first brushes, from college 25 years ago, crude things made from squirrel tail, wax, string and sticks. Now I use bamboo handles and thread and epoxy bindings. I still collect road-killed squirrels, though; I like the springiness and flexibility they bring to the brush.
I primarily paint animal images, probably due to my childhood on a Wisconsin farm. Most are painted from memory, although with some of the more complicated images I work with photographs. I also keep sketchbooks handy at the zoo, aquarium or county fair.
I admire Chinese brush paintings. I don't consciously try to imitate
them, but I think the simplicity and facility with brush leads to a similar
look and style.
I've twice been accepted to (and once asked to be juror for) Eugene's
highly competitive Mayor's Art Show, and one piece, "The Girl With The
Flyaway Hair," was featured on the Mayor's Show poster for 2002.
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