Fire has fascinated me since early childhood. This lifelong attraction has manifested itself into a creative journey that, like the fire itself, continues to hold me with its magic and possibility. Many years ago I experienced a life-changing epiphany. During a chance visit to a ceramic facility, I witnessed the huge gas kiln in mid-fire.

I was transfixed, and almost immediately, I sensed that something deep and wonderful had happened to me. Soon after, I changed my major from physical education to art…. and my life’s vocation was discovered. In retrospect, as a young man I could never have imagined what mysteries would be revealed to me as I listened to the power of that huge firing kiln.

Since then, working with clay, taking it through the firing process, and transforming it into objects of art has been a boundless source of energy, joy and creativity. One of my favorite sayings is, “If you’re not on the edge, then you’re taking up too much room.” It is within this idea of being “on the edge” that fuels my passion for my art.

Several years ago, after working 30 years in ceramic arts, I participated in a glass workshop at Bullseye Glass in Portland, Oregon. Since then, I have worked extensively with the glass and have often combined both clay and glass in my pieces. Yet, I knew my path with the fire was not finished. My most recent work has been a fusion of heat and ideas: A metamorphosis of clay, glass, wood and steel. I am always looking to jump off the edge and into the fire.

Joel will be a guest artist at the William Lemke studio.