As I am a craftsman at heart every aspect of the ceramic process is important to me. I worl alone and am directly involved in every step of the process from blendng the clay to the creation of the pots. I built my studio in 1979 and have designed and constructed all of the kilns, I even formulate my own clays and glazes sometimes using a computer program, Glaze Calc, which I wrote in 1983.

By layering and blending glazes I strive to capture the impression of light and shadow moving through a deep forest. On my work are glimpses of yellow and red leaf patterns agains shadowy tones of teal, deep green, indigo and black which portray the sun peeping through the canopy illuminating small spots along the path while all else is in shade. You may not get to know my pieces all at once, over time as the light in the room changes you will see faint patterns emerge and disappear. The surfaces of the pots, like the natural world which inspired them, hold surprises.

Pottery as an art form has always appealed to me because pots are useful and accessible. Pottery, especially utilitarian ware, is straight forward, does not put on airs and is easily accepted. But once a pot is accepted as useful it is then that the artistry I struggle to achive can begin to work it's subtle magic by adding in quiet, gentle ways newer, deeper levels of perception. All of the elements of the visual arts such as line, color, value, balance, tension, and rhythm can be brought to bear in an effort to convey insight and emotion. Using artistic pottery every day enhances life in ways the food they contain can not.

My home and studio is located in the moraine country of Michigan. Moraines are miles long ridges hundreds of feel tall left at the feet of glaciers ages ago. From my woods I can sense the presence of the ice which has overcome this place time and again. The turmoil caused by them is still evidenced by the jumble of rock, sand and clay which I have to till to plant a garden, and by the deep pot holes called kettles left behind when huge boulders of icer were pressed into the earth and left behind to melt at the end of the ice age.

We are only the second family to live on this 10 acre piece of meadow and forest since it was partitioned by the government. Here Karen and I have raised our two children to adulthood. In from of our home is a grandfather of an oak standing 75 feel tall and nearly 100 feet wide. This 150 year old tree has a trunk which is fifteen feet around four feet off the ground and it has been identified as the largest white oak in the region. In honor of this tree I call my studio the Oak Leaf Pottery.

If you are ever in the area stop by for a visit.