In the beginning I painted tiles and lots of them. My hand-painted tile backsplashes are in over three-hundred homes throughout the south east and beyond. I have created fireplace surrounds, table tops, counter tops and a few floors. Painting tiles led to hand-making tiles which has led to an exploration of clay forms for the past 15 years. Below are a few examples of tiles painted on glazed tiles using china-paints, bisque tiles using underglazes and handmade tiles. Most of the hand-made tiles are stoneware fired to cone 5.
These 8' x 8" tiles are two in a set of three depicting the regions of our state. Shown are "Central" depicting the three rivers that run through our capitol city and "Mountains" depicting our upstate mountain region and agriculture. Stoneware fired to cone 5.
The above set of tiles was a commission for the Mysteries of the Rosary displayed in a memorial garden. This set depicts the "Joyful Mysteries" which represent the important moments in the life of Jesus from the moment of conception, "The Annunciation," to the beginning of His public ministry in "Finding in the Temple." The entire set of 20 tiles were created using stoneware clay fired to come 5.
The above two murals represent what I did for over a decade - kitchen backsplashes - all custom ordered and designed to complement my clients decor and lifestyle. Hand-painted tile on earthenware using overglazes and fired to cone 018.
These tiles above and below represent a departure from commercial tiles (on which I would paint) to hand-made tiles. I enjoyed the freedom of the organic edges and 3-Dimensional quality. 5" x 5" stoneware fired to cone 6.