I’ve been working on newer vessels that contain poetry and other messages on tangible, sculptural forms. I’m interested in upcycling old ceramic, glass and stoneware in new ways. Many of the pieces I collect are in bottle shapes and urns. I’m particularly interested in these for a variety of reasons, most notably the symbolism that is associated with drinking and sobriety, as well as the iconography of the urn being a place we keep remains. All of the vessels are meant to symbolize a sense off containment.

My poetry reflects the vessels, too, in that it tends to address my own life, both the years I spent drinking, as well as reconciling loss and grief. 

In terms of composition, using sculptural pieces with round edges and sides to paint poetry prevents there from being any real starting and ending point as on a page. A viewer can begin and end reading anywhere, even skipping around and possibly seeing something new with a fresh look. Depending on the way the words are read, it could have different meanings. Because the words are written in a stream of consciousness style directly on the vessels they are also peppered with a lot of pop cultural references and timely descriptions from my life. And while the subjects can be serious they are not without humor and satire. 

I tend to paint these exclusively in black and white, which is quite different from graffiti-style vessels I have created in the past. I am interested in starkness and the idea that they do mimic a book. 

Just a few pieces from the growing collection: