Kumagama

My goal is to find inspiration all around me and fearlessly pursue all avenues of creation regardless of medium or style. I am fascinated, conceptually, by the "living" nature of clay and themes of impermanence as expressed in the spirit of Sen no Rikyu's Tea Ceremony and Buddhist spirituality. By necessity, I have had to acquire a firm foundation in all things ceramic from clay body compositions to glazing and firing. My current work has been heavily influenced by my experimentation with various wood firing methods & 16th century Japanese and modern American shino glazes on various clay bodies to create functional ceramics & sculpture. I am also heavily influenced by my study of the Urasenke tradition of Chanoyu and the Ikenobo tradition of Ikebana. My vessels are influenced by Kanzaki Shiho & Kusakabe Masakazu my glazes by Suzuki Tomio & my koudai by Cory Lum...I thank each of you and bow to your Buddha natures.

I have a BFA and MFA in Sculpture...does this make me a "sculptor"? I am passionate about all things ceramic...does this make me a "potter"? I have taught art to students of all ages, from kindergarten to graduate school...does this make me a "teacher"?

I am a creator of objects and concepts.
I am a craftsman and a shaman. I am an artist and a maker which in the end, makes me..."all of the above".

Thank you Da'Vinci...