Tom Kendall:
Every aspect of the ceramic process is important to me. I work alone, except when my daughter can help me. I'm directly involved in every step of the process, from blending the clay or sweeping the floor to creating ceramic forms, I do it all. I built my studio in 1979 and designed and constructed all of the kilns, formulated my clays and glazes sometimes using a computer program, Glaze Calc, which I wrote in 1983.

By layering and blending glazes I'm trying to capture the impression of light and shadow moving through a deep forest. Glimpses of yellow and red leaf patterns against shadowy tones of teal and deep green are like the sun peeping through the canopy illuminating small spots along the path while all else is in shade. My intent is that the surfaces be subtle and complex so the viewer does not get to "know" them all at once. As light in the room changes faint patterns will emerge and disappear in the deep colors of the glazes. The surfaces of the pots, like the natural world which inspired them, hold surprises.

Tom Kendall

Flair Bowl (left) Free Form (right)
Navase