Crater Bowl Process
Khangar Volcano Crater Lake
I’ve been drawn to images of crater lakes — landscapes shaped by volcanic eruptions and slow geological change.
One of my earliest inspirations was a photograph of Khangar Volcano’s crater lake in Russia, which sparked the first ideas for this series. Most of my work begins with that initial spark of interest and attraction.
Each crater bowl begins with a slab of stoneware clay pressed into a larger bowl form. From there, I carve, texture, and build layers across the surface. I use white porcelain slip to evoke snowy terrain, and apply oxide and stain washes to add color before firing.
Every piece is fired multiple times. I experiment with glaze combinations and firing schedules to create the luminous “lake” effect at the center of each bowl, adjusting and refining until the surface feels just right.
Crater Bowl, 1
This series is a part of my larger project, Volatile Landscapes. Both explore how natural forces reshape the earth and how those processes parallel emotional and internal shifts within us. The crater bowls take these ideas and translate them into smaller, contemplative forms, They echo the same themes of change, resilience, and the beauty that can emerge from destruction.