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| 16-year old me with a friend |
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| lunch with friends |
When I was sixteen, I packed a suitcase and moved to Granada, Spain. Under the guise of being a student, I spent six months wandering the streets and researching the local scene. It was an experience that transformed my life.
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| a typical alley in Granada |
Over twenty years later (and three other visits to Granada) I continue to love that city like no other. From bars to alleys there are patterns to be enjoyed that are rich with color and geometry; the narrow alleys with their carefully laid cobblestone and tiled majolica street signs bring style to even the most basic of places. Along the steep climb to La Alhambra or heading toward the Catedral are numerous small shops overflowing with masterfully crafted ceramic wares of blue and green. How could you not relish such a place?
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| entrance to La Alhambra |
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| etching into leather-hard clay |
The influence on my clay work is overt. I am drawn to the complex patterns the Moors brought to southern Spain. I study their intricacy and alter them to fit my pieces.
While the clay is "leather-hard" (hard enough to hold its shape but soft enough to be workable), I etch the design in it. After the first firing, I glaze each area separately. The process is tedious, but it is a way for me to connect to a place I adore. As a friend of mine likes to say, "I have Spain on the brain." Hopefully you can see and enjoy a touch of the beauty of Granada in some of my work.
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| bartenders of El Leño 1988 |
