James Tisdale

"My work, simply stated, is a visual journal. It is easier for me to construct thoughts andexpressions in a physical venue rather than by word. The work is an outward manifestationof my views toward the world around me. These expressions are highly influenced by many things, but mainly by my rural, devoutupbringing in Mississippi. This in itself is a web of contradictions. I draw upon both the beauty, and the ugliness of this region and its impact. For me, it has been a rich soil tocultivate, pulling both disturbing and revealing aspects of my life. The work is just a channel to better understand the world and my place within it. The historical art influences on my work range from the figurative work of the Renaissance,the kitsch work of the 30’s and 40’s, to the innocent God-felt work of southern folk art.My pieces are constructed with terra cotta earthenware by methods of coiling and pinching.Once the form is established, the surfaces are then finished with several layers of both stains and glaze, which are taken through multiple oxidation firings ofcone 03 temperature." - James Tisdale

To see more of his whimsical work go to his website.