Making it, work.
Building a studio and establishing a practice.
In’s and Out’s
Family
I am slowly building and adding on to a home studio, squeezing studio needs in the in-between spaces at home. The space requirements, equipment, and material needs of a potter can be a never ending process. I recently built a 50 cubic foot soda kiln in our backyard, and feel fortunate to have a supportive partner, and the ability to share that space and experience with my two little dudes.
Tradition
In 2019 my folks and I drove from Wyoming to Burnsville, North Carolina to disassemble John Hartom’s and Lisa Blackburn’s brick LP gas fired kiln. We brought the kiln back to Wyoming rebuilt it, and converted it to natural gas soda fired kiln.
Through John and Lisa we also acquired a traditional Leach style treadle wheel which I now use to fill the soda.
In 2019 I attended a workshop at the Archie Bray with Linda Christianson and Simon Levin - that experience has had an incredible impact on my practice, and informing my way forward.
Growing Pains
After traveling and moving around for a few years, I attended the University of Wyoming. After graduating with a BFA (emphasizing in sculpture, ceramics, and printmaking) and a BA in Art Education we moved to Sheridan, WY. I taught high school art for several years in Buffalo, WY and Sheridan, WY while establishing a local customer base and studio.
In 2017 I resigned from teaching, and 2018 opened a brick and mortar clay center and production house for my business Red Bison Studio in Sheridan, WY. As that business grows it provides the opportunity, freedoms, and abilities to also grow my home studio and practice.
For now, with the never ending support of my partner, I have taken over our garage and converted it into a working studio. My goal and hope is to build on to this structure to provide space for larger scale bodies of work, construction, and development.
Establishing a studio and audience
I was born and raised in the heart of America’s blue collar coal country in Gillette, WY. I received a BFA from the University of Wyoming, and in 2018 opened a brick and mortar production house and clay center in Sheridan, WY. I still own and operate Red Bison running community classes and a full ceramic production line. These days I focus on production during the day, and more pots in the middle of the night.
I do have a need to explore and develop my work outside of a production setting. Building kilns, exploring new clay bodies, new materials, forms, shapes, decoration, and creating works that fall out of the scope of production.
There is need I have for a different intent of work, and hope that this website can be a vehicle for that expression.