Bonnie Staffel

Charlevoix, Michigan

Title: Cloud Sky

Year of Creation: 2005

Glaze: No glaze, smoke fired, leather cord and beads

Clay Body: Phoenix White Stoneware

Dimensions: Height 6.5 inches, Width 6.5 inches

Artist's Statement: My search for surface effects on my pottery led me to the primitive smoke firing process. I have always been interested in color so my experiments have given me blues as well as the usual blacks, grays and tans. Allowing the magic of the flame produce surprises keeps this pursuit amazing and alive even after all these years of work.

I chose my path in the adventure of learning about clay in 1948. This curiosity about clay has made numerous turns in my career, and I still feel that there are more challenges yet to achieve.