The Adventures of Tim and Tam
After just having moved from Utah to Florida, I had the most wonderful, adventurous, and magical dream. It was powerful. There were two boys on an incredible adventure surrounded by exotic ruins, places and people; there were dark wizards and magic; fear and doubt; and finally triumph, growth, wonder, and awe. It started, like all great stories, with seemingly ordinary children picked on by older siblings and peers, and became great by leaving what was comfortable, stepping into the unknown, facing all that evil could do, and coming out victorious.
My work tells this story briefly, as each piece represents a major scene from it. I embrace clay’s permanent nature as many of my pieces resemble artifacts that have survived years of wear, neglect, or even volcanic events. I have included tropical motifs and forms with an exotic appearance. In some cases I have included illustrations reminiscent of children’s books, stimulating people of all ages to use their imagination. I love a child’s ability to turn even the most simple into something exciting. I have also attempted to create pieces that engender a feeling of absurdity while still existing in reality, something children’s books as well as folklore have in common.
I acknowledge everyone has a different definition of exotic versus domestic simply by origin, but I am particularly enthralled by the island and coastal cultures of Oceania—past and present, specifically Micronesia, where I spent two years as a missionary. I learned their language and studied their geography and customs, and observed their incredibly unique and vast variety of plant life. I was enchanted. I hope that no matter what my viewers are interested in, or how old they are, they will be drawn into an exciting and grand adventure.
My work tells this story briefly, as each piece represents a major scene from it. I embrace clay’s permanent nature as many of my pieces resemble artifacts that have survived years of wear, neglect, or even volcanic events. I have included tropical motifs and forms with an exotic appearance. In some cases I have included illustrations reminiscent of children’s books, stimulating people of all ages to use their imagination. I love a child’s ability to turn even the most simple into something exciting. I have also attempted to create pieces that engender a feeling of absurdity while still existing in reality, something children’s books as well as folklore have in common.
I acknowledge everyone has a different definition of exotic versus domestic simply by origin, but I am particularly enthralled by the island and coastal cultures of Oceania—past and present, specifically Micronesia, where I spent two years as a missionary. I learned their language and studied their geography and customs, and observed their incredibly unique and vast variety of plant life. I was enchanted. I hope that no matter what my viewers are interested in, or how old they are, they will be drawn into an exciting and grand adventure.