A cousin to marbling, Nerikomi is a traditional clay technique with roots in Japanese, Egyptian, and Chinese ceramic traditions. By layering different colored clay bodies together, patterns emerge that can resemble agate, stone strata, or intricate repetitive designs.

My process begins with stacks of colored clay, sliced and layered into striped blocks. Through cutting, recombining, and wedging the clay in different directions, those clean layers become stretched, folded, and transformed. What starts as simple bands of color gradually develops into swirling patterns and unexpected intersections hidden within the block. Once the clay is compressed again, I slice into it to reveal the interior landscape before rolling it into slabs and building forms.

I am drawn to the physicality of the process and the balance it requires between intention and discovery. While I can guide the clay, there is always an element of surprise in how the patterns unfold. The resulting surfaces often feel less constructed than unearthed, their layered imagery reminiscent of agate, sediment, and geological formations. Today, I continue to expand the technique through the use of pigments, glass beads, and new forms, always exploring fresh ways to uncover the hidden worlds held within the clay.