Artist Statement

Nearly thirty years ago I was introduced to pottery making and I am still drawn to clay. The ability of this material to be shaped and hold that shape through the ceramic process is large part of the allure for me. To take a lump of clay in its random configuration and manipulate it into a useable object is amazing. The transformation of the material by fire in terms of its physical characteristics and color and texture is perhaps what I find most profoundly exciting.

My forms are often manipulated from thrown parts. I have been changing many of my forms to make the finished vessels more sculpturally active yet reflective of utilitarian objects from a variety of vessel making crafts, form clay to glass and fine metal craft. My color is derived from sources of iron stains applied on base glazes before firing. These materials then blend and flow naturally in the firing process, leaving a record of the atmospheric movement in the kiln. The result is a carefully designed form with chance color and texture created by the combination of materials and heat during the firing process.

Randy Carlson
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