About clay

Like many artists, I have drawn the inspiration for my work from nature. At a time when we seem intent on the destruction of our natural world, it is imperative that we preserve the gifts and miracles of Earth.  It is a time to bring heightened awareness and mindfulness of each nuance, each small detail, to consciousness; to celebrate and hold sacred the essence of life, to notice a curl of a leaf, the curve of branch, the etchings in a water-worn stone, the rock forged from heat and pressure and upheaval, the delicate spiral of a shell, the sand formations of wind-swept beach.

The intent of my work is to capture these fragments in nature, these moments of awareness.

My relationship with clay mirrors my relationship to the natural world.  The clay speaks to me of what it once was--it holds within itself the memory of transformation.  It is both a challenge and a gift to work with clay, to mold and shape this material, to create from it the sacred vessel, the utilitarian bowl, the holy icon, the textures and shapes of life.  It endures for centuries, it is compliant and resistant, it is transformed by the fire--it is both my lesson and my teacher.

If we look deeply into nature, perhaps we will find ourselves.

--Sheila A. Richards