Working with native clays and all of the natural textures I've always felt has lent itself to replicating "artifacts." The "burnout holes" (holes in the clay body caused by organic material left in the clay after being fired) create a very "natural" looking form. The holes almost resemble cells, anthills or lichen on a tree. Along with that anything I make with the natural clay body has chips and imperfections resembling that of an ancient piece of pottery that was unearthed after 100's of years. Now that I've had almost a year with a proper wheel I hope to make some larger worker free of any glazes, that merely highlight the beauty of the natural form. I think these pieces would pair nicely with the collection titled "Stump" I'm creating about the loss of my forest. I feel this ashtray where I left remnants of the clay I used to stabilize it on the wheel while trimming is a good place to spin off of on these ideas.
 
This piece was infact made with the natural clay bodies I harvest by hand from the forest behind my house! Part of why I spent 4 months away from pottery was because my forest has recently been deforested for what I later learned was merely profit because we have a national wood shortage and prices are higher than ever. Going into the the forest to harvest clay before snowfall and trying to make pieces out of the same fores that I felt already had so many of it's rights violeted, felt wrong. Taking more (clay) from a forest that already had so much taken without it have a say, felt wrong. I know what I'm doing is special and I hope that my work reminds others to appreciate the beauty of their own enviornment, including the literal earth (dirt/clay) they walk on. Nonetheless making work during this incredibly emotional time was challenging. So I hope if you do take one of these pieces hone you appreciate it as I do.
 
PLEASE NOTE:  Natural clay bodies often contain organic materials which create "burnout holes' in the clay. These are holes created when a piece is constructed with organic material (ie. a stick, root, bug, leaf, etc) still remaining in the clay body. Once the piecce is heated to over 1800 degrees Fahrenheit this organic material combusts leaving a vacant space. These holes prevent the glaze from creating a full and complete coverage. Meaning ALL WORK MADE WITH NATURAL CLAY BODIES IS NOT FOOD SAFE. That being said I eat fruit out of mine all the time.
 
Dimensions
Height: 2.25in
Width: 4.25in.
Lendth: 4.25in.