Historically, the art of Raku is connected to Zen and the Japanese Tea Ceremony. The attainment of balance and harmony is the goal of the Tea Ceremony; the appreciation of Nature is central to the ritual. Nature is the source of balance and harmony. Also central to the Tea Ceremony is the ritual preparation of green tea, and the expression of appreciation for the way the tea is prepared and served. The receptacle of the ceremonial tea is the raku fired Tea Bowl. The raku process applied to clay involves the natural elements of earth (clay), fire, and water. The Tea Bowl is symbolic of essential, natural balance, and harmony; an object of contemplation.

The Japanese term "raku" connotes spontaneity, intuition, and contentment. I choose to fire my instruments using the Raku style of firing because I admire and enjoy the aesthetic and serendipitous nature of the process. Each fired piece is unique, like improvisational jazz. Starting with a form, or melody line: decorate it, embellish it; expose it to the creative flame; let your knowledge, experience, and intuition guide you. In both Raku and Jazz, the artist must "let go" and trust that the intuitional process will create an acceptable finished piece. I can not always predict how a finished piece will look or sound, but almost always the result is interesting, pleasing and even magical.

I salute my fellow clay artists who inspire me: the alchemists of functionality, and fine artists who play in the mud. Visitors to this site are invited to visit my Virtual Gallery and contact me. I hope you enjoy your visit, and return to view new work as it appears in the Gallery.