About Marilyn

 My  work is made to celebrate the daily interactions we have with each another; giving,  sharing, offering hospitality, and receiving.  Most of my work is  functional white stoneware clay, but lately I have been also using a mid-range porcelain. I use wheel throwing, hand building,  and altering (removing sections of the pot and pushing the remaining pot together in a new configuration) to construct my pieces.   I am drawn to color, texture, patterns and ornamentation in fabric design, quilting and upholstery.  Playful and animated attachments such  as hand built feet, handles and knobs often embellish my work. Some of the larger stacked pitchers I make, almost have a whimsical feel to them.

 The trees and flora in our backyard woods impacts much of the imagery on my  work. My gardens and the insects and birds that visit my feeders are an  ever changing narrative and inspiration for me. Leaves, trees and birds are a frequent theme in much of my work.

On the surfaces of my work are multiple layers of colored slips (clay with ceramic colorants in it)  that I apply prior to the first firing.  On the once fired pots I might paint under glazes and will often draw gestural lines on top of the color to emphasize areas and also create a fluid connection around the sides and  surface of the pots.  A clear glaze on top seals in the designs,  rendering the pots safe for use and providing strength and durability.   My work is fired in an electric kiln.