The pottery we make is a collaborative effort. Our main inspiration is derived from classical forms and natural motifs, as exemplified by the Arts and Crafts Movement and the pottery of China, Korea and Great Britain. Our goal is the creation of well-designed and executed form, embellished by beautiful surface design. It is pottery that is functional, but also makes a highly decorative statement. We use a white stoneware clay body that is fired to cone 11 in a reduction atmosphere. Frank is the potter half of the team, and is responsible for the design and making of each piece, glazing and firing.

 

Barbara is the artist. She is responsible for surface design, sgraffito and carving of the pots. After a pot has been made and dried to a “leather-hard” state, it is dipped into one of a variety of slips. When the piece is dried to the same state again, Barbara executes the surface decoration. The design is neither drawn onto the pot nor any template used. She etches each design directly through the slip using a technique called sgraffito, then carves the negative space away; a process similar to making a woodblock print. The pottery is dried, bisque-fired, glazed, and fried again.

 

Frank has a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of North Texas, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Tulsa. He also spent a year as an apprentice to Michael Leach, Yelland Pottery, Devon, England. Barbara has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of North Texas. They have been collaborating on pottery and art since 1980.

 

“ The truth is that whenever different people love the same thing and work at it together, their union makes strength; combined, they can do more than if their separate energies were each striving in a different direction. By working together one becomes stronger and a whole is formed.” --Vincent van Gogh