I started working with clay two years ago and I believe this is the first time I’ve successfully integrated my drawing with this complex new surface. I’ve had lots of failures and, even worse, so-so outcomes; not bad enough to throw away, but you don’t want them around, either. And you can’t just paint over them like you can with canvases.

In my experience, making art is about showing up, doing something, even if you’re just sitting there with it. It can be hard work, and rarely cost-effective. When people ask me why I do it, which isn’t often thankfully, I can be at a loss for words. The experience of seeing this piece after the final firing, however, was a good reminder for me about why I make art. The “forces” came together and surprised me. I felt warm and fuzzy inside. I stepped beyond myself with this piece, and learned some things along the way.