Essence of My Box-Making
In this workshop I showcase my techniques and aesthetics for creating clay boxes that are far more than functional from crafted from slabs of clay. I share how I work, the tools I use, the materials I’ve sourced over the years, and the reasons/psychology behind my choices.
Workshop participants will see me employ three different forming methods when beginning my boxes.
Slab Rolled
Over all my most-used equipment for forming a box is the slab roller. During the workshop I will make slabs of varying thickness to use in over half of the boxes I’ll demonstrate as I describe how the slab roller, in less obvious ways, is essential to my work.
Wheel Thrown
I love to throw on the potter’s wheel hence these boxes are first thrown to approximately 1/4″ think, trimmed and squared, then topped with a slab of clay. The surface of the box is always glazed through the raku process.
NMC (Not Mostly Clay)
I am now expanding my box forms to include stabilized clay, steel and other materials, which gives me the opportunity to expand my scale and diversity of box forms.
