Studio Stories

Studio Process: Glazing Large Ceramic Sculptures
Studio Process: Glazing Large Ceramic Sculptures
While building a ceramic sculpture requires meticulous control, glazing requires a complete surrender to the kiln. In this studio journal, I share the technical realities of surface treatment on large-scale... Read more...
Studio Process: How to Pull and Attach Perfect Pottery Handles
Studio Process: How to Pull and Attach Perfect Pottery Handles
A handle is the physical connection between the user and the vessel, and it requires both structural strength and aesthetic spirit. In this studio guide, I share my exact process... Read more...
Studio Process: Building Internal Supports for Large Ceramic Sculptures
Studio Process: Building Internal Supports for Large Ceramic Sculptures
Building tall ceramic sculptures requires more than just thick walls; it requires hidden engineering. In this technical studio guide, I break down the honeycomb internal support system I use to... Read more...
Studio Process: How to Recycle Bone-Dry Clay
Studio Process: How to Recycle Bone-Dry Clay
In a ceramic studio, no clay is ever truly wasted. Whether a sculpture collapses or you simply have leftover trimmings, bone-dry greenware can always be saved. Discover my complete, step-by-step... Read more...
DIY Studio Equipment: How to Make a Plaster Damp Box
DIY Studio Equipment: How to Make a Plaster Damp Box
Struggling with clay drying out too fast while you work? In this technical studio guide, I share my step-by-step method for building a DIY plaster damp box. This essential piece... Read more...
Masterclass: Step-by-Step Studio Process of Crafting the Tall Yukon Series Mug
Masterclass: Step-by-Step Studio Process of Crafting the Tall Yukon Series Mug
In this technical studio journal entry, I break down the complete process of creating the taller, waisted mugs from the Yukon Series. Learn the exact steps for calculating clay shrinkage,... Read more...
Finding Stillness in Winter: The Making of the Yukon Series Mugs
Finding Stillness in Winter: The Making of the Yukon Series Mugs
Winter in Upstate New York offers a profound, quiet stillness. Inspired by bright blue skies, white snow, and dark wintry trees, I recently developed the Yukon Series. In this studio... Read more...
Masterclass: The Step-by-Step Process of Crafting Pale Pink Mugs
Masterclass: The Step-by-Step Process of Crafting Pale Pink Mugs
Creating functional pottery is a rhythm of preparation, intuition, and precise execution. In this detailed masterclass, I share my complete, step-by-step process for crafting my pale pink mugs. From the... Read more...
Archival Tour: Farewell to My First Ceramic Studio (August 2024)
Archival Tour: Farewell to My First Ceramic Studio (August 2024)
In August 2024, I closed the doors to my first ceramic studio—a 600-square-foot converted garage that served as my creative sanctuary for five years. In this archival journal entry, I... Read more...
Complete Ceramic Sculpture Creation: The Making of "You Grow Up When I Sleep"
Complete Ceramic Sculpture Creation: The Making of "You Grow Up When I Sleep"
Creating a large-scale ceramic sculpture is a continuous dialogue between the material and the artist. In this journal entry, I detail the complete creation process of my sculpture, "You Grow... Read more...
Surviving the Deep Freeze: Throwing the Spring Dawn Pink Porcelain Mugs
Surviving the Deep Freeze: Throwing the Spring Dawn Pink Porcelain Mugs
During a bitter Upstate New York cold snap with wind chills dropping to -22°F, the studio became a testing ground for material resilience. In this journal entry, I share the... Read more...
First Kiln Firing in My New Ceramic Studio: Return to Handmade Vessels
First Kiln Firing in My New Ceramic Studio: Return to Handmade Vessels
After months of constructing my new ceramic studio in Upstate New York, the space is finally breathing. This inaugural kiln firing marks a deeply personal return to the foundational language... Read more...
Finally Finished: A Tour of My New Ceramic Studio After 7 Months of Renovation
Finally Finished: A Tour of My New Ceramic Studio After 7 Months of Renovation
After seven months of intense DIY construction, my 1,100-square-foot ceramic studio is finally complete. In this journal entry, I share the full studio tour, detailing the process of installing porcelain... Read more...