Mariko Swisher
Lancaster, PA
I wheel throw, hand build and carve white earth and terra cotta forms upon which I design simple themes from the natural world. These are conceived from notes and sketches relating to my childhood fascination with nature but especially for insects, some from the Sendai countryside in Japan where I am from. The organic and geometric qualities of these creatures I then contrast with fine geometric patterning and borders. I enjoy the interplay of these designs and how they relate to or become the form of the piece. Japanese brushes are used for all glazing. Firing cone temperature 04 & 06.