The What, Where & When...
FOIGHIDINN and BUIDHEACHAS - The Scots Gaelic words for “patience” and 'gratitude' respectively reflect my relationship with clay. I have completed the transition from decades of practicing architecture to the making of pottery.
Along the way, I have been privileged to associate with and learn from a number of accomplished potters, and to have been welcomed as an active member of local art venues such as the Ice House Artists Cooperative and the Berkeley Springs Studio Tour in Berkeley Springs, WV; and the Hillsborough Arts Council and the Orange County Artists Guild in North Carolina. I look forward to continuing the journey in the greater Pittsburgh area, particularly with the folks at Clay Pittsburgh and the Highlander wood kiln in Ligonier.
I enjoy experimenting with form, texture and color; use a variety of stoneware and porcelain clay bodies; mix my own glazes from raw ingredients and use a number of glaze application methods to include dipping, pouring and spraying. Working on the potter's wheel in addition to hand building with slabs, I create texture by imprinting and excising the clay with tools and stamps or cutting the surface with wires. The effect these surface alterations have on the applied glazes is most appealing to both the eye and the heart.
Some of my wares are fired within the relatively controlled environment of a propane fueled gas kiln, however, I prefer the wild-and-woolly process and serendipitous results only achievable using the ancient practice of wood firing. The 'wabi sabi' aspect of accepting imperfection as it relates to wood firing is critical in appreciating the process and the outcome. Acknowledging that the potter's contribution is only part of the final outcome and that the process requires allowing the kiln to make its mark on the final product. It's the love of the "process" of wood firing that has drawn me to that medium. The early portion of the firing features a slow tempo that gives me time to contemplate the possibilities nestled within the kiln. As the firing progresses the pace picks up and the mind quickly shifts to the task at hand. Adjustments are continually made to the stoking cycle and to the damper settings during the course of the firing. By the end of the day, when the target temperature is reached and activities come to a close, the satisfied feeling of a job well done sets in along with the anticipation of opening the kiln and discovering the results!
In concert with my fellow artisans I support my local community by donating work to non-profit causes and charity events such as the "Empty Bowls" initiative.
I cherish the fellowship with my brothers and sisters in the fire and clay community and came to acknowledge "FOIGHIDINN" and "BUIDHEACHAS" as integral parts of the wood fire experience.
As I settle in our new community of Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania and transition to firing almost exclusively in an electric kiln, my future path in clay has yet to be defined...
Along the way, I have been privileged to associate with and learn from a number of accomplished potters, and to have been welcomed as an active member of local art venues such as the Ice House Artists Cooperative and the Berkeley Springs Studio Tour in Berkeley Springs, WV; and the Hillsborough Arts Council and the Orange County Artists Guild in North Carolina. I look forward to continuing the journey in the greater Pittsburgh area, particularly with the folks at Clay Pittsburgh and the Highlander wood kiln in Ligonier.
I enjoy experimenting with form, texture and color; use a variety of stoneware and porcelain clay bodies; mix my own glazes from raw ingredients and use a number of glaze application methods to include dipping, pouring and spraying. Working on the potter's wheel in addition to hand building with slabs, I create texture by imprinting and excising the clay with tools and stamps or cutting the surface with wires. The effect these surface alterations have on the applied glazes is most appealing to both the eye and the heart.
Some of my wares are fired within the relatively controlled environment of a propane fueled gas kiln, however, I prefer the wild-and-woolly process and serendipitous results only achievable using the ancient practice of wood firing. The 'wabi sabi' aspect of accepting imperfection as it relates to wood firing is critical in appreciating the process and the outcome. Acknowledging that the potter's contribution is only part of the final outcome and that the process requires allowing the kiln to make its mark on the final product. It's the love of the "process" of wood firing that has drawn me to that medium. The early portion of the firing features a slow tempo that gives me time to contemplate the possibilities nestled within the kiln. As the firing progresses the pace picks up and the mind quickly shifts to the task at hand. Adjustments are continually made to the stoking cycle and to the damper settings during the course of the firing. By the end of the day, when the target temperature is reached and activities come to a close, the satisfied feeling of a job well done sets in along with the anticipation of opening the kiln and discovering the results!
In concert with my fellow artisans I support my local community by donating work to non-profit causes and charity events such as the "Empty Bowls" initiative.
I cherish the fellowship with my brothers and sisters in the fire and clay community and came to acknowledge "FOIGHIDINN" and "BUIDHEACHAS" as integral parts of the wood fire experience.
As I settle in our new community of Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania and transition to firing almost exclusively in an electric kiln, my future path in clay has yet to be defined...
The Path...
Artist Organization Memberships (past and present)/ Orange County Artists Guild (OCAG), Orange County, NC; Hillsborough Arts Council, Hillsborough, NC; Washington County (Maryland) Arts Council, Frederick, MD; Allegany Arts Council, Cumberland, MD; Lost River Artisans Co-operative, Lost River, WV; Tybee Arts Association, Tybee Island, GA; Ice House Artist Cooperative, Morgan Arts Council Berkeley Springs, WV
Studio Tours/ Orange County Artists Guild (OCAG) Annual Open Studio Tour, Orange County, NC; Berkeley Springs Studio Tour, Berkeley Springs, WV
Gallery Shows/ "Endangered Animals" at the Ice House Gallery in Berkeley Springs, WV; Kansas City Clay Guild 2022 Teabowl National juried show; Orange County Artists Guild (OCAG) Holiday Show, Frank Community Gallery, Chapel Hill, NC; Orange County Artists Guild (OCAG) Spring Show, Eno Mill Gallery, Hillsborough, NC; Juried Art Show, Rocky Mount, NC; Curator and contributor, "It's All About the Surface", Ice House Gallery, Berkeley Springs, WV; Contributor, Berkeley Art Works Ceramic Exhibit, Martinsburg, WV; Curator and contributor, "Earth, Wind and Fire: The Art of Wood Fired Ceramics", Ice House Gallery, Berkeley Springs, WV; Curator and contributor, “FireWorks: A Celebration of Wood-Fired Ceramics”, Ice House Gallery, Berkeley Springs, WV
Kiln Construction & Firings/ Participant in the April & September 2024 firing of the Highlander wood kiln in Ligonier, PA; Constructed 30 cubic foot "Buidheachas" single-chamber cross-draft Bourry-box style wood-fired kiln, Hillsborough, NC; fired twelve times; Constructed 40 cubic foot "Cothrom Eile" single-chamber cross-draft Bourry-box style wood-fired kiln, Berkeley Springs, WV; fired nine times; Constructed 80 cubic foot "Foighidinn" dual-chambered cross-draft Bourry-box style wood-fired kiln, Great Cacapon, WV; fired ten times.
Workshops & Conferences Attended/ WoodfireNC: Envision, Star, NC; North Carolina Potters Conference, Seagrove, NC; Shino Glazing workshop with Connie Christensen (On-Line); Woodfire NC, International Woodfire Conference, Star, NC; International Wood Fire Conference, Sugar Grove, IL; Mid-Atlantic Clay Conference in Front Royal, VA (Steven Hill demonstrating); Alabama Clay Conference, Birmingham, AL (Peter Rose, Nick Joerling and Patti Warashina demonstrating); Demonstration workshop with Bill van Gilder, Gapland, MD; Throwing workshop with Kevin Crowe, Tye River Pottery, Nelson County, VA; Out of the Frying Pan – Wood fire workshop with Jim Dugan, Touchstone Center for Crafts, Farmington, PA; Firing the Touchstone Noborigama – Wood fire workshop with Jim Dugan, Touchstone Center for Crafts, Farmington, PA; Glaze Application - Workshop with Joyce Michaud, Hood College, Frederick, MD; Vessels for Pouring & Drinking - Workshop with Mark Shapiro, Odyssey Center, Ashville, NC; Autumn Wood-Firing Workshop with Jim Dugan, Touchstone Center for Crafts, Farmington, PA; Wood-Fire Workshop with Kevin Crowe, Touchstone Center for Crafts, Farmington, PA; Majolica and Raku - Workshop with Paul Wilmoth, Augusta Heritage Center, Elkins, WV
Miscellaneous Events/ Mt. Lebanon Uptown Market, Bethel Park Farmers Market; Upper St. Clair Farmers Market; Mother of All Pottery Sales (MOAPS); Moved to Mt. Lebanon, PA; One-on-one Pottery Lessons; Juried Vendor, Handmade Market, Hillsborough, NC; Pop-up pottery event at Cup-A-Joe, Hillsborough, NC; Ceramic Installation, Cup-A-Joe in Hillsborough, NC; Vendor, 'Outlandish Hillsborough' Scottish festival at Ayr Mount Historic Site, Hillsborough, NC; Juried Vendor, Eno River Farmers Market, Hillsborough, NC; Participant, Last Friday Art Walk in Hillsborough, NC; Juried Vendor, Art in The Heart of Hillsborough, Hillsborough, NC; Vendor, Berkeley Springs Farmers Market, Berkeley Springs, WV; Wheel throwing pottery demonstration, Lost River Artisan Co-op, Lost River, WV; Conducted a face mug workshop as part of "Corks & Creations" program, Ice House in Berkeley Springs, WV
Charity & Non-Profit Donations/ UU Church of the South Hills silent auction fundraiser in Mt. Lebanon, PA; Paintitgreen.org; Hopeline, Inc. Crisis Intervention Hotline, NC; Urban Ministries of Durham 'Empty Bowls' event, Durham, NC; “Empty Bowls” community fundraiser, Hillsborough, NC; “Empty Bowls” community fundraiser, Carrboro, NC; Art & Elegance Fundraiser for the MAC Ice House Renovation, Berkeley Springs, WV; “Empty Bowls” community fundraiser, Berkeley Springs, WV
Introduction to Pottery/ Basic and advanced pottery classes with Lin Hausknecht at Lord Fairfax CC, Middletown, VA
Before Pottery/ Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and Master of Architecture degrees, Clemson University, Clemson, SC
Studio Tours/ Orange County Artists Guild (OCAG) Annual Open Studio Tour, Orange County, NC; Berkeley Springs Studio Tour, Berkeley Springs, WV
Gallery Shows/ "Endangered Animals" at the Ice House Gallery in Berkeley Springs, WV; Kansas City Clay Guild 2022 Teabowl National juried show; Orange County Artists Guild (OCAG) Holiday Show, Frank Community Gallery, Chapel Hill, NC; Orange County Artists Guild (OCAG) Spring Show, Eno Mill Gallery, Hillsborough, NC; Juried Art Show, Rocky Mount, NC; Curator and contributor, "It's All About the Surface", Ice House Gallery, Berkeley Springs, WV; Contributor, Berkeley Art Works Ceramic Exhibit, Martinsburg, WV; Curator and contributor, "Earth, Wind and Fire: The Art of Wood Fired Ceramics", Ice House Gallery, Berkeley Springs, WV; Curator and contributor, “FireWorks: A Celebration of Wood-Fired Ceramics”, Ice House Gallery, Berkeley Springs, WV
Kiln Construction & Firings/ Participant in the April & September 2024 firing of the Highlander wood kiln in Ligonier, PA; Constructed 30 cubic foot "Buidheachas" single-chamber cross-draft Bourry-box style wood-fired kiln, Hillsborough, NC; fired twelve times; Constructed 40 cubic foot "Cothrom Eile" single-chamber cross-draft Bourry-box style wood-fired kiln, Berkeley Springs, WV; fired nine times; Constructed 80 cubic foot "Foighidinn" dual-chambered cross-draft Bourry-box style wood-fired kiln, Great Cacapon, WV; fired ten times.
Workshops & Conferences Attended/ WoodfireNC: Envision, Star, NC; North Carolina Potters Conference, Seagrove, NC; Shino Glazing workshop with Connie Christensen (On-Line); Woodfire NC, International Woodfire Conference, Star, NC; International Wood Fire Conference, Sugar Grove, IL; Mid-Atlantic Clay Conference in Front Royal, VA (Steven Hill demonstrating); Alabama Clay Conference, Birmingham, AL (Peter Rose, Nick Joerling and Patti Warashina demonstrating); Demonstration workshop with Bill van Gilder, Gapland, MD; Throwing workshop with Kevin Crowe, Tye River Pottery, Nelson County, VA; Out of the Frying Pan – Wood fire workshop with Jim Dugan, Touchstone Center for Crafts, Farmington, PA; Firing the Touchstone Noborigama – Wood fire workshop with Jim Dugan, Touchstone Center for Crafts, Farmington, PA; Glaze Application - Workshop with Joyce Michaud, Hood College, Frederick, MD; Vessels for Pouring & Drinking - Workshop with Mark Shapiro, Odyssey Center, Ashville, NC; Autumn Wood-Firing Workshop with Jim Dugan, Touchstone Center for Crafts, Farmington, PA; Wood-Fire Workshop with Kevin Crowe, Touchstone Center for Crafts, Farmington, PA; Majolica and Raku - Workshop with Paul Wilmoth, Augusta Heritage Center, Elkins, WV
Miscellaneous Events/ Mt. Lebanon Uptown Market, Bethel Park Farmers Market; Upper St. Clair Farmers Market; Mother of All Pottery Sales (MOAPS); Moved to Mt. Lebanon, PA; One-on-one Pottery Lessons; Juried Vendor, Handmade Market, Hillsborough, NC; Pop-up pottery event at Cup-A-Joe, Hillsborough, NC; Ceramic Installation, Cup-A-Joe in Hillsborough, NC; Vendor, 'Outlandish Hillsborough' Scottish festival at Ayr Mount Historic Site, Hillsborough, NC; Juried Vendor, Eno River Farmers Market, Hillsborough, NC; Participant, Last Friday Art Walk in Hillsborough, NC; Juried Vendor, Art in The Heart of Hillsborough, Hillsborough, NC; Vendor, Berkeley Springs Farmers Market, Berkeley Springs, WV; Wheel throwing pottery demonstration, Lost River Artisan Co-op, Lost River, WV; Conducted a face mug workshop as part of "Corks & Creations" program, Ice House in Berkeley Springs, WV
Charity & Non-Profit Donations/ UU Church of the South Hills silent auction fundraiser in Mt. Lebanon, PA; Paintitgreen.org; Hopeline, Inc. Crisis Intervention Hotline, NC; Urban Ministries of Durham 'Empty Bowls' event, Durham, NC; “Empty Bowls” community fundraiser, Hillsborough, NC; “Empty Bowls” community fundraiser, Carrboro, NC; Art & Elegance Fundraiser for the MAC Ice House Renovation, Berkeley Springs, WV; “Empty Bowls” community fundraiser, Berkeley Springs, WV
Introduction to Pottery/ Basic and advanced pottery classes with Lin Hausknecht at Lord Fairfax CC, Middletown, VA
Before Pottery/ Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and Master of Architecture degrees, Clemson University, Clemson, SC