Jar or Urn
$950.00
Custom Order1 in stock
Ask the ArtisanCapture the rugged elegance of the American West with this extraordinary, one-of-a-kind Cowboy Jar.
This piece masterfully blends materials and history: the body of the jar is hand-thrown clay, finished with a unique horsehair raku technique. As the jar is fired to high temperatures, carefully placed strands of horsehair sear onto the surface, creating the mesmerizing, organic, black-and-tan marbling and smoke trails that make each piece absolutely unique.
The design is further elevated by an intricate ornamental band near the rim, providing a rich, dark contrast to the smoky texture below. Crowned with a pair of antique-style steel spurs, this jar instantly evokes the spirit of the open range. It rests upon a high-gloss, live-edge burl wood base with stunning purple and amber tones, providing a stable, gallery-quality foundation.
I was raised on horseback in a small mid-western town in Iowa where I was shaped by the western way of life. While in the second grade, I started barrel racing which led to competing and eventually winning championships. I’ve trained horses and coordinated national sponsorships for the World Toughest Rodeo. I learned how deep the human heart and the horse are connected.
I also raised five kids. I taught them the value of a hard day’s work and how to dig into the richness of life. I feel this richness in clay. Something special happens when I dig into a block of clay and start preparing it for the wheel. The clay is shaped by compression while it is in motion. Much like the refined, precise control I feel in the motion of my horse, a force of nature takes over and I am merely a channel for the creative spirit of a higher power, something greater than me.
My focus is to celebrate the horse and western lifestyle through clay and handcrafted pottery. I use clay, literally earth and fire, as the canvas to represent the forces of nature that connect nature and horses with humans. Most often, a horse’s hair is burned into my pieces creating bold, unique black lines. With that I feel the spirit of the animal becomes part of the vessel.
When it comes to life, I am all in. I am dedicated to nurturing my love of horses, creating art through clay and being an inspiration to my family.
