Virginia's profile
While my work spans multiple mediums, my curiosity, creativity and personal reflection are best expressed in my three dimensional clay sculptures. Two dimensional processes help to clarify three dimensional insight and abstraction. These clay sculptures are, however, incomplete until they incorporate materials, including wood, semi precious stones, shells and light. I enjoy the sensuality of this form of expression and its multifaceted aspects of surface, line, negative space, motion and emotion. I have chosen clay as my primary medium for its unique versatility and the staging toward a completed piece of work, reflective of the esoteric change from one state of being into another inherent in utilizing clay as a primary medium.
Many pieces emerge from concepts and influences of a life time of experiences and knowledge, however, sometimes, forms emerge from the unconscious mind or are seen while in a dream state. I may start a piece from a thrown clay vessel to serve as an armature, or begin building from a simple piece of clay toward something envisioned in the mind, in an additive process. More recently, I have begun to use subtraction of clay through carving, and creating not only an external space but also an internal space in my sculptures.
My work challenges the viewer to explore my sculptural work visually and emotively. With light as a quality of the work, it can often be seen differently from various angels, using the eyes to caress the image and feel sensations and emotions. When the viewer is absorbed into my work and experiences the work in this manner my work has successfully spoken.
Theme of my most recent works is "Surrender, Flow and Power of the Feminine." It is the progress in the series of works in freeing myself to the spontaneous, intuitive knowing that can only be expressed through visual arts. I spent nearly 20 years working in social and human services after receiving my Master's Degree in Political Science, by serving the impoverished, the hungry, homeless and those unable to receive health care. I was a very effective grant writer, public relations consultant and director raising substantial funding bringing millions of dollars to those in need making a positive compassionate contribution to the world.
However, in 2009, for the second time in my life I suffered a catastrophic illness that made working in traditional settings impossible - and now it is important to make a difference in my own life through the use of visual art and in particular using clay as pottery and in sculpture. While art was not new in my life, it has now become the center of my life. With the encouragement of doctors and family I returned to school at Harford Community College to study Fine Arts, and received an AA. Due to financial considerations I continue to work as an independent student in ceramics and sculpture at HCC since I was unable to afford to attend a four year institution for more intense study - therefore, I push myself, researching and searching out advanced processes. Through the generosity of my family I will be setting up my own sculpture and ceramic studio in January 2015 hoping to be operational by summer 2015. My work has been accepted at Gallery by the Bay, in Havre de Grace, Maryland, and will be installed in April 2015. I will also continue to show and sell my work in juried and non juried exhibitions and shows in Central Maryland. My work is very popular and while I am highly productive I need to enhance my focus to keep up with the demand. I am developing ways of capturing my process in written diaries, photo diaries noting processes, and youtube photo/videos.
Recently I purchased equipment, glazes, chemicals, tools and furnishings for a ceramics studio from a retiring ceramic artist. The kiln is large enough for me to continue to work on larger sculptural pieces. I will be seeking to raise $5000 this year to fully build out the studio and to get the electrical requirements for the very large kiln installed by an electrician. My family is allowing me to use part of a large workshop on their property for the time being, and in the five year plan I seek to have an independent studio and gallery.
Many pieces emerge from concepts and influences of a life time of experiences and knowledge, however, sometimes, forms emerge from the unconscious mind or are seen while in a dream state. I may start a piece from a thrown clay vessel to serve as an armature, or begin building from a simple piece of clay toward something envisioned in the mind, in an additive process. More recently, I have begun to use subtraction of clay through carving, and creating not only an external space but also an internal space in my sculptures.
My work challenges the viewer to explore my sculptural work visually and emotively. With light as a quality of the work, it can often be seen differently from various angels, using the eyes to caress the image and feel sensations and emotions. When the viewer is absorbed into my work and experiences the work in this manner my work has successfully spoken.
Theme of my most recent works is "Surrender, Flow and Power of the Feminine." It is the progress in the series of works in freeing myself to the spontaneous, intuitive knowing that can only be expressed through visual arts. I spent nearly 20 years working in social and human services after receiving my Master's Degree in Political Science, by serving the impoverished, the hungry, homeless and those unable to receive health care. I was a very effective grant writer, public relations consultant and director raising substantial funding bringing millions of dollars to those in need making a positive compassionate contribution to the world.
However, in 2009, for the second time in my life I suffered a catastrophic illness that made working in traditional settings impossible - and now it is important to make a difference in my own life through the use of visual art and in particular using clay as pottery and in sculpture. While art was not new in my life, it has now become the center of my life. With the encouragement of doctors and family I returned to school at Harford Community College to study Fine Arts, and received an AA. Due to financial considerations I continue to work as an independent student in ceramics and sculpture at HCC since I was unable to afford to attend a four year institution for more intense study - therefore, I push myself, researching and searching out advanced processes. Through the generosity of my family I will be setting up my own sculpture and ceramic studio in January 2015 hoping to be operational by summer 2015. My work has been accepted at Gallery by the Bay, in Havre de Grace, Maryland, and will be installed in April 2015. I will also continue to show and sell my work in juried and non juried exhibitions and shows in Central Maryland. My work is very popular and while I am highly productive I need to enhance my focus to keep up with the demand. I am developing ways of capturing my process in written diaries, photo diaries noting processes, and youtube photo/videos.
Recently I purchased equipment, glazes, chemicals, tools and furnishings for a ceramics studio from a retiring ceramic artist. The kiln is large enough for me to continue to work on larger sculptural pieces. I will be seeking to raise $5000 this year to fully build out the studio and to get the electrical requirements for the very large kiln installed by an electrician. My family is allowing me to use part of a large workshop on their property for the time being, and in the five year plan I seek to have an independent studio and gallery.
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