In the studio, I am alone with my thoughts. I communicate with them, and they with me. As they form, they reflect my different states of mind: Action, distraction, reaction, interaction, and abstraction.
I started this project in the fall of 2008 by exploring this dialogue between me and my thoughts with three dimensional objects. I imagined how it would look if my visible thoughts were to leave my head and be a part of my physical surroundings. To make them separate but real, I called them “helpers” and I developed them figuratively into objects that were identifiable and that others could easily relate to.
This work reflects my interest in finding solutions to sculptural problems and my aesthetic for using simplified lines and smooth planes. I like to combine the figurative with the abstract. The materials are white stoneware clay painted with chalkboard paint. I found that painting the fired pieces gave me more control over the surface and allowed me to tighten up anything the kiln and firing process altered. Since these are my thoughts on display, I wanted them to look their best.
