“Before the Fire”

Before the Fire is a glimpse into the heart of my process—where each sculpture begins, shaped by hand, instinct, and intention. These works, still soft and full of potential, hold the quiet tension between what is and what will be. In this space, I invite you to witness the raw beauty of clay before transformation—before glaze, before kiln, before permanence.

My first hat of many, inspired by the legendary Mae Reeves — a tribute in clay to her elegance, creativity, and legacy as a Black milliner who shaped American fashion history.

This piece was inspired by the work of Patricia Standard an African American Milliner working out of Louisville, Kentucky.

Each piece shown here is a moment of transformation—captured before glaze, before heat, before final form. From hats crowned with sculpted roses to vessels wrapped in petaled detail, these works represent the raw artistry and hand-built labor behind my finished ceramics. You can see the careful layering, carving, and floral assembly that reflect my dedication to form, texture, and storytelling through clay. These images honor the in-between—where the spirit of each piece first takes shape, still soft, still becoming.