My first career was in veterinary medicine which is necessarily a blend of science and intuition that borders on artistic expression. Now, I find that ceramics is a blend of science and artistic endeavor. My hope is that I can combine my past and present through my current work in the studio. The malleability of clay as it yields to the potter’s hands followed by the chemical aspects of the glazing process and the various harsh physical firing methods all feel new and yet familiar as I look back at past career experiences.
In addition, as a benefit of my travels, I have been inspired by the gifted artisans and crafts people that I have met across this country and around the globe. The timeless shapes, forms and colors of the pueblo pottery spoke to me as I visited galleries in Arizona and New Mexico. My sculptural ceramics pieces and totems are inspired by ancient cultures. They are architectural and reminiscent of beautiful carvings, buildings, monuments and temples from around the world.
I work predominantly with white stoneware clay. Most of my pieces begin on the wheel and some components of my sculptures are hand-built. After completion, all elements are bisque fired to cone 04 (1935F) in an electric kiln. Once the pieces have been bisque fired, the decoration process begins. Functional pieces are finished with silica-based glazes that make them food safe and are fired to cone 6 (2200F). Embellishments that I utilize include crystalline glaze formulations, tape resist designs and overlapping glaze effects. Decorative pieces may be glazed and fired in the same manner as the functional pieces. Or, they may be chemically treated and ‘pit fired’ to 1800F in a roaring bonfire to produce rich organic hues and effects. Regardless of how ceramics are decorated and fired the results are never 100% predictable and therein lies the challenge, the art and the thrill of working with clay to produce finished ceramic forms.
– Laura Harris
Gallery
