Ceramics 2010 and previous

I have been working in clay for 6 years or so. Most of my experience and understanding with clay occurred while I was working on my undergraduate degree at UNM. I had the rare opportunity to learn three distinct cultural styles of clay and vessel making. Early In my experience I had the fortune of learning a Japanese style of pot making from Arita, Japan in fine porcelain. This gave me a production outlook on clay with an emphasis on quality craftsmanship. Since then, the majority of my work has been a blend of western stoneware methods with Arita techniques. I also had the fortune of learning a hand built method used by Indigenous peoples from the pueblos of New Mexico. This Pueblo pot making method uses minimal tools and everything is hand coiled or built. The clay came from a local source, Hand dug, hand processed, and hand built. The firing utilized pit firing techniques in oxidation and reduction. Through all these experiences I realized that though many cultures utilize different techniques, the inspiration (usually from the land and a local clay source) is similar and connected by the Egalitarian nature of clay, that is, that it is alive and conscious just as much as the tree, the dog, and yourself. A reciprocal relationship is needed to communicate your feelings and inspire good pots.