www.ashcraftpottery.com

801-641-2059

ashcraftpottery@gmail.com

Working on the wheel is my primary devotion. Most of the soft clay forms are manipulated off the wheel, sometimes heavily manipulated. My forms reference human torsos, old worn out boots and Asian Architectural influences. I love the clay’s ability to mimic many different materials, from soft skin to hard wood.

Pottery made from a dark brown iron bearing clay is brushed with white slip clay, creating a complex interaction when fired in the kiln. Paddle marks and wire cut details create greater visual texture. Elegant glazes and ash enhance the shape of each piece resulting in forms that are interpretive and subtle.

In 2012, a new series of 2-D work appeared in my studio. I started drawing on the soft clay with a variety of tools. Textures found in nature are often rolled or pressed into the clay. Finally Sumi-e has found a place in the compositions with the black brushwork a perfect complement to the textured clay slabs.

It’s all about creating a dense combination of textures, glazes and colors that enhance form and make the viewer look closer, spending some time to really understand what’s going on. In the end, the kiln has the final say on the composition, providing some unexpected results.