It's a lot of work to prepare for
and fire the wood kiln. The labour involved, and learning to understand the mystery beyond technology, in wood firing is something to master aside from working with the raw clay.
Wood as fuel produces a particular aesthetic, but it is also practical given the thickly wooded and remote area where I live and work.
Firings can last up to 18 hours, depending on many factors. The exhaustion I feel at the end is nothing short of satisfying.
I am thankful to be strong and healthy enough to carry out this intensive activity.
WALL SCONCE
Candle lanterns I have made many over the years. It is recent that I have experimented with creating electrical light accents for the home, for indoor and outside.
The inspiration simply comes from being involved in the design and finishing of my own home.
I intend on exploring this area of architectural ceramic art. There is something visually ethereal about the form being displayed lit from the inside. The light atmosphere in the room then becomes much of the piece.
JOY. OUR NATURAL STATE OF BEING
wood fired stoneware,unglazed
12"tall
I am illustrating in this sculpture and its title that joy is not something we must to bring in to our lives. Joy is always there, at least at the core. Sometimes in order to feel it the layers must be peeled away to get to the naural state, joy. I learned that from a meditation guide and I believe it is true.
GODDESS
local terra-cotta
2"h
Some of the clay used at Mudada is mined with a shovel on Mudge Island and processed through primitive means. The image itself is archetypal. Her bear-paw hands show how she is strong and of the earth. Some aspects of being human will never change.
"Mudada" means Mudge Island, Canada. The studio and wood kiln are both on this island. It is not accessable by ferry, however should you for some reason find yourself on Mudge Island please do contact me if you would like to view the kiln, recently fired pieces, or works in progress.
Gabriola Island is very close to Mudge and a meeting/showing can be arranged there as well.
WOVEN BOWL
unglazed wood fired stoneware
24"diam, 7"h
The challenge of weaving clay is tedious, and rewarding. Owners of Mudada clay woven bowls have found a variety of uses for them. The most popular is as a fruit bowl, but I also heard of somebody who bakes bread in one!
A lot of my wood fired pieces are unglazed. The reason for this is because the ashes from the burning wood deposit and melt on the clay surfaces, giving the piece a natural glaze. In other words, the kiln is self-glazing and the effect is much more satisfying to me than decoration that I create with glaze recipes.
