I am pleased to mention that the word "whimsical" has been used to describe this series of work. In the beginning I was hand-building sculptural forms which resembled firewood. The evolution to more functional pieces occurred after I was exposed to porcelain clay and started to use my knowledge of wheel throwing technique. I am continually fascinated with the sculptural aspect of birch trees. A friend from China dubbed the series, "tree skin". Indeed, there is a case for metaphor with the skin of the tree and ours.

These pieces are wheel thrown, incised, and altered by adding, subtracting and carving. I have found that small pieces of driftwood make excellent tools for adding texture. The incised lines are rubbed with black iron oxide, sponged and the interior glazed with Malcolm Davis Shino.   A serendipitous benefit occurred when after a firing, on the thin walled vessels; the interior glaze migrated through to the outside.   So, on some pieces you see the rather effective orange appearing where the selectively brushed exterior glaze is not applied.