The Process
ORIGIN
All of my work is made by hand.
Much of it is rooted in nerikomi—a Japanese pottery technique that involves layering different colored clays to create intricate patterns from the inside out.
Think of it like millefiori in glasswork, but with porcelain.
Process
It begins with white porcelain and ceramic stains, mixed together to create my own colored clays.
Some designs are abstract. Others are more literal, like florals. Most require building "canes"—clay brushstrokes that will form a full composition.
When I start building a new block, I run colors through the slab roller to create gradients and subtle blends.
I extrude and assemble these layers into a design, piece by piece.
From concept to finished work, it can take months, or even a year.
Once a block is ready, I carefully slice it open.
Thin cross-sections reveal the design inside, like cutting open a geode.
These slices are then laminated onto fresh porcelain slabs, run through the slab roller, and handbuilt into functional forms. Each one becomes a painting you can hold.
What began as a technique from my mentor has become a language in clay—one that tells my story, honors my heritage, and expresses my voice.
Fire
Each piece is fired twice.
The first firing strengthens the clay. I then inspect and refine every form before applying a clear, food-safe glaze.
The final glaze firing to cone 10 brings the porcelain to life—deepening colors and enhancing translucency. These firings can last over 12 hours and leave no room for error.
Purpose
Whether handbuilt from clay blocks or wheel-thrown and painted, each piece reflects curiosity, patience, and quiet trust in the process.
I'm grateful every day to live a life devoted to creating—thank you for being here, whether you're just reading or taking a piece home. It means more than you know.