CERAMICS

Turquoise crackle Raku vase

White crackle vase

Crackle resist rake vase

Halo raku vase with figures

White crackle vase with flowers

White raku bowl

Smoke fired vase with gold leaf

Faceted white raku bowl

Turquoise raku bowl with copper

Though the Japanese word Raku simply means pleasure or enjoyment, it has come to represent a unique style of pottery involving an unusual and dynamic firing process. Raku pottery originated in Japan, and was developed as a special part of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Hand made Japanese tea bowls are still an integral part of this honored tea service. The making of Raku pottery has evolved over time, and particularly in the way that Western potters create Raku work.

The inspiration for my paintings involves large perspective, clear reflections and extraordinary light. Growing up on the ocean shaped my childhood and gave me an appreciation for the meditative quality that comes with great expanses of water. The atmospheric skies, consistently changing waves, ephemeral mists and deep reflections are often an element in my work. The late day and early morning sun gives a special quality of light that seems to hold a comforting warmth and a promise that lifts the spirit and touches the soul. We live in troubled times and it feels important to acknowledge and hold on to what is beautiful and real in our world, both for inspiration and as a way of grounding ourselves and helping us to find lasting solutions to the problems we see all around us.

My work an artist and my work as as a psychotherapist and life coach bring me deep into the awareness of the challenges of life and how we each learn to look at and see the world through our own unique and individual lens. We often see reflections of other times, places and people, which inform our actions and reactions and can change the course of our lives. We have moments of clarity and inspiration and moments where the path is uncertain and uncomfortable. It is a natural part of life, and I continually find my place as a woman, an artist and a psychotherapist to be one of seeking understanding, clarity, upliftment and harmony whenever I can.

“The Arts we practice are our apprenticeship. The big art is our life.”

MC Richards