| After
completing my BFA at Adrian College in 1976, and then working as a
studio potter for fifteen years, I am finally able to create the
mixed-media baskets I have always dreamed about. Unhampered by the
limitations found with clay-only forms, texture, color, shape and size
have become a satisfying reality. My baskets are made with a combination
of three materials: clay, fiber (reed), and wood.
The clay is a
high fired stoneware with dipped, brushed, and poured glazes. The
challenge here is to have a clear vision of the completed basket before
starting the piece. Using traditional wheel-throwing and hand building
techniques, I finish the clay parts first. Once I have completed that I
begin to shape and bend the green oak ribs for the larger baskets. On
other pieces, I position and glue reed or dowel spokes in place. This
stabilizes the form for weaving.
The final
process is the weaving of the entire spoked area. I select the natural
and dyed reed and weave plaited and twilled patterns. I will often
choose palm, vine rattan, red osier, willow, or birch bark as accents to
add a more natural feel and texture to my baskets.
Fascinated by
the beautiful shapes of Greek amphora pottery, I have been continually
inspired to work with the vessel as form. Breaking from the clay-only
vessel and exploring the endless possibilities afforded by basketry as
an art form has allowed me to explore shapes and textures that were
unattainable to me in the past.
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