Artist Statement

Often art is seen as an introverted, solitary experience involving serious thought and messages. Frequently overlooked are the examples of the lighter side of human existence - comedy. Art, like life, is a balance between comedy and tragedy. Shakespeare's darkest plays were balanced with keen wit and humor. My intent in much of my artwork is to reveal the purpose of humor in art and to show that in art comedy and tragedy are dependent on each other for a deeper understanding of the human condition. Ceramic artists can draw from a rich history of figurative art. Examples of humor can be found in naïve art like Indian Mimbres pottery, Carolina "face jugs", and "outsider" folk art. Although the art's original intent may or may not have been humor, a contemporary perspective can often find comedic value. More contemporary examples by artists like George Orr, Marcel Duchamp and Robert Arneson have also influenced my work.