My ceramic practice starts on the potters wheel where I use this idea of repetition to form a vessel that will throw a cup without a foot, then trim the leather hard piece and throw on a foot, focusing on flaring out. I wait till each mug is a little more than leather hard to add a pulled handle which I attach to the piece. I then apply slip and underglaze to the piece, acting as paint for a blank canvas per say. A technique called Sgraffito is used to carve into the clay, creating negative spots and lines where the clay is exposed. This creates designs that are added for visual interest.
The pieces I make are formed around a major life altering event back in 2024. I got into a serious car accident, resulting in a shattered L1 vertebrae, intestinal tear and sepsis. My use of color can be seen as unexpected, reflecting the events in life that can be unexpected. And the carvings are meant to show individuality and how each of us are different. As I have metal in my back, you may or may not, each one is set apart. My goal is to intentionally decorate each mug, each individually different.
Looking back, what advice would you give yourself?
The advice that I would give myself is to always explore and do not be afraid of taking risks.
What's your favorite A+D memory?
My favorite art and design memory is when the ceramics department had visiting artists come, and we were able to talk with the individual one-on-one and get feedback on our pieces. Not only that but to see their creative process and learned from them as well.
What was your favorite A+D class?
My favorite art and design class has to be advanced Ceramics because we get to choose what we want to make and it really puts you out into the real word as far as thinking about post graduation.
What moment, project, and/or critique in your Art + Design career at AU has been pivotal to who you are as an artist or creator?
The project that has been pivotal to me as my artist presentation. It allowed me to view my past experiences, present and future, and create this presentation of.
What's next for you?
My plan is to graduate college and move to Orlando for a year and work at a studio down there. After a year, I will come back up to South Carolina and open up my own business with a friend of mine!
How do you hope your work makes an impact?
I hope that my work can be looked at, appreciated and seen as unique. My work is definitely not your every day, ordinary mug or piece of Ceramics, but it is something that has a lot of character and individuality to each piece.