The exploration of human form and spirit has fascinated me most of my artistic life. The requirements for living are common themes in my art...shelter, food, love, sexuality, communication, beauty, death, and especially the spirit of the soul.

As a potter, I always wanted to know what energies influence and direct us to make us who we are. When I found this "new" medium, clay, some of my questions were answered. Ceramics combines minerals from the earth with the heat of fire to create the works of art or functional forms. This becomes a basis of understanding--for what are we but mineral compositions ourselves.

Continually exploring the circles of clay on the wheel, I have concluded that clay is more like humanity than anything I have ever known. One or more thrown forms that are perfect circles--or sometimes not so perfect circles--are combined with the human spirit, in containers for human use. I began to explore the ability of the clay's energy to transcend time and the mind, providing the never-ending circle of life and death, again and again. Some images in my pottery are clothed, and some reflect sexuality, love, birth, and death. But all representations being what they are, the clay and the fire are one and the same with humanity.

I am inspired and enlightened by those close to me. My work and my life revolve around them. Travis Alber [www.travis@thisistravis.com] who is responsible for the design and creation of this website, shapes my ideas during those late night discussions.

Introducing sound is just another way of emphasizing the humanity of clay. Some of my larger pieces play music. The sounds generated by the singing pots are by composer David Schmudde [www.davidshino.com] whose sensitivity and dedication inspired him to become so aware of the human condition.

And Jim always makes things work and is my best critic.

SABRA SCHMUDDE