The Process

Tile has always drawn me to it for its beauty and purpose as a functional object. People walk on it, splash on it, install hot objects on it. Ornaments reflect the person giving the ornament and the person receiving it.

For my tile projects, I gather visual reference materials and create several prototype versions before a final version is selected. Since glazes can vary depending on the clay body and custom firing schedule, I test several options. I use a locally produced mid-range stoneware that is oxidation fired in an electric kiln. Some of my glazes are commercially produced, and some are glazes that I have created. All tiles are first fired to a bisque state, then glazed and re-fired at a higher temperature to mature the glaze.

Ornaments offer an opportunity to show beautiful detail, wit and whimsey in a very small package. For ornaments, I use a low fire earthenware clay. During their creation I use slip-trailing, majolica and other techniques including underglaze and overglaze decals and gold luster. The ornaments are first fired to a bisque state, then fired again to let the glazes mature. If I use decals and/or luster in the work, then there is a third firing.

Dogs and cats have special places in my studio. My husband, Dan and I raise Labrador Retrievers, so there are always
dogs about. The first large mural that I ever did shows one of our Labradors in the field.