“Introduced to clay at an early age, I have danced with it for more than fifty years! During times of varied occupations, including child–rearing, sawmilling and truck driving, writing and social activism, clay has been a constant partner. The necessary rhythms of making, drying, firing, glazing and firing again help give structure and balance to my life. It is a privilege to work in a craft and art which began with the beginning of human history and will last, at least as artifacts, into the far future. If I had three lifetimes, I could give them all happily to clay work – the fascination of it, the demands, the frustration and finally, the downright miracle of turning mud into stone. “
Muriel’s work is largely high-fired stoneware, both functional pottery and sculpture.
She also makes smoke-ware – stoneware that is partially fired so that it is still porous
and then placed in smoldering sawdust to smoke for 12-24 hours.