9" in diameter X 4.5" tall, polished cone 10 stoneware, the ashes of a red tail hawk, 2015.
In Native culture red tail hawks are considered spiritually powerful, and the feathers or wings are used during ceremonies to smudge the participants before they enter the ceremonial grounds.
Essentially, I was gifted the body of a red tail hawk by a Native elder, and told to, "Honor the Animal's Spirit."
So, to honor this request I took the hawk's wings and tail feather and crafted a smudge fan, and the remains of the hawk were placed into a saggar, and fired it to cone 018. What remained were bones resembling silvery charcoal which was then crushed with a mortar and pestle, and wedged into the clay the bowl is constructed of.
The concept of this is to keep the essence of the animal in both body and "spirit" together as one.
Plaster and Burlap, 32" in diameter, 2014.
Sphere has 32 bands that interact with one another, overlap, merge, and press against each other. These bands rely on one another to create a whole greater than the individual parts. Each band represents a layer – or facet of reality that comprises a greater whole. This sculpture is one possible representation of that complete whole.
Earthenware & Rawhide, 15X15X2", 2014.
Slip cast Earthen Ware, 18X9X10", 2013.
Porcelain, 9X9X12", 2014.
Carver plaster, 18"X9"X9", 2011