Artist Statement
PERIOD PIECES. Clay structures document various architectural styles of past and present. TIME PIECES. Clay canvases record specific light rays complemented with shadows. Scaled as a miniature replica the piece addresses a building's existence and longevity. Each is fragile - each a subject of time.
Process
Using information gathered from reference photographs, a proportional floorplan is drafted onto poster board. Side elevations are drawn to a dropped (or raised) vanishing point, thus creating a bird's eye (or worm's eye) point-of-view. Forming the one-of-a-kind structure in clay allows for corrugated tin roofs, fluted columns, and textured shingles. Once bisque-fired in the kiln, the sculpture is transformed into a three-dimensional painting.
Abbreviated Resume
EMPLOYMENT
- Studio Artist, (2006 - Present)
- Art Teacher, North Carolina Public Schools (1974 – 2006)
EDUCATION
Appalachian StateUniversity, Boone, NC
- MA, Art Education (1985)
- BS, Art Education (1974)
SOLO SHOWS
- Waterworks Visual Arts Center, Salisbury, NC (2010)
- Edward Hopper House, Nyack, NY (2007)
- Piccolo Spoleto Invitational Exhibition, Charleston, SC (2006)
- Salem College, Winston-Salem, NC (2006)
- Imperial Arts Center, Rocky Mount, NC (2006)
- Spartanburg County Museum of Art, Spartanburg, SC (2005)
- Appalachian Center for Crafts, Smithville, TN (2005)
- Francis Marion University, Florence, SC (2005)
- Wingate University, Wingate, NC (2004)
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
- Close to Home, Piedmont Craftsmen Inc, Winston-Salem, NC (2021)
- Appalachian Alumni in the Arts, Turchin Center, Boone, NC (2011)
- Celebrate North Carolina Craft, Executive Mansion, Raleigh, NC (2010)
- Plane & Pedestal, Greenhill Center, Greensboro, NC (2009)
- Structures, Gallery at Carillon, Charlotte, NC (2008)
- The Power of Excellence, SECCA, Winston-Salem, NC (2004)
COMPETITIONS
- National Juried Sculpture Show, Craven Arts Council & Gallery, New Bern, NC (2006, 2008, 2016)
- National Ceramic Competition, San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, San Angelo, TX (2002, 2008)
- Annual Competition for NC Artists, Fayetteville Museum of Art, Fayetteville, NC (2003 - 2005)
- Ceramics Biennial, New Hampshire Institute of Art, Manchester, NH (2004)
- Form Follows Function, Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago, IL (2004)
- Crafts National, Lancaster Museum of Art, Lancaster, PA (2003)
- Feats of Clay, Gladding McBean Terra Cotta Factory, Lincoln, CA (2000, 2003, 2011)
AWARDS / HONORS
- First Place, National Juried Art Show, Imperial Arts Centre, Rocky Mount, NC (2015)
- Recipient, Regional Artist Project Grant (1998, 2003)
- Teacher of the Year, Mt. Pleasant Middle School, Mt. Pleasant, NC (2001)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
- Style Spotlight, American Style Magazine, December issue (2007)
- Feature Segment, Southern Living Presents, Turner South Network (2005)
- Miniature Clay Houses, North Carolina Now, UNC-TV (2003)
- Bird's Eye View, November Issue, Our State Magazine (2002)
- White House Christmas, (Featured Artist), HGTV (2001)
COLLECTIONS
- Carl Sandburg Home - National Parks Service - Flat Rock NC
- Charleston Museum - Charleston, SC
- Charlotte/Mecklenburg Public Arts Commission - Charlotte, NC
- College of Charleston - Charleston, NC
- Davidson Village Inn - Davidson, NC
- Fifth Third Bank - Concord, NC
- Gallery of Art and Design - NC State University
- Haverstraw Brick Museum - Haverstraw, NY
- Hotel Nyack - Nyack, NY
- Meredith College - Raleigh, NC
- National Lighthouse Museum - Staten Island, NY
- Northampton County Museum - Jackson, NC
- Old Salem Museums / Gardens - Old Salem, NC
- The White House - George W Bush Presidential Library - Texas
- Wingate University - Wingate, NC
CREDITS
Steve Norman - portfolio images
Wayne Wrights - bird photos
Clay Johnson - bird photo