In my Problem in Lieu of Thesis I explored the use of analogy in my work. I searched for ways to heighten the difference or distance between the imagery within an analogous relationship and yet maintain meaningful similarities or relationships. An analogy, for the purpose of this paper is defined as the following: "a similarity or likeness between things in some circumstances or effects, when the things are otherwise entirely different."

In this investigation I use the term perception as Arthur Comb and Donald Snygg do when they state that perception is any differentiation the individual is capable of making in his personal field. Perception has to do with the organization one gives to his world. Behavior and learning are products of perceiving. Immanuel Kant said: "We see things not as they are but as we are." During this effort to organize my world I realized that I was concerned with myself as an experiencing individual. I felt that one is built out of his experiences and that the best vantage point for understanding behavior is from the internal frame of reference of the individual himself. I was taking a somewhat phenomenological approach to my problem.

This report documents the changes in my work as a ceramic artist over a two-year period, imposed upon, and inspired by, the use of a propane torch on the surface of the clay vessel. The purpose of this study is two-fold: (1) to provide information about this particular tool for methods of survace decoration; (2) to provide information about a subjective thought process directed by properties in this particular tool.

As my creative project, I decided to explore the possibilities for expression of rhythmic life-growth patterns in a variety of abstracted multiple forms. The work was planned to investigate the following questions: 1. What forms can be used to communicate the idea of repetitive, rhythmic or seasonal life or growth patterns? 2. What size/scale is effective in communicating the universal, infinite character of these patterns? 3. What formats or types of presentation are the most effective? 4. How is the overall impact of the work affected by changes in size and form? 5. How do changes in the work affect my responses to it, and what subsequent directions result in the work?

My research explored the possibilities of achieving the raku halo through variations of the standard engobe (pronounced on-gobe) and oxide formulas, using ceramic vessels as media. This included alterations of the ingredients, consistencies, and methods of application. Throughout the research, a journal was kept including individual information about research pieces, a statement of results, and my reaction to those effects. From this information, an analysis of the completed vessels was compiled.

In pursuit of the project, I sought to address the following concerns: 1. Which intaglio processes, or their combination, proved to be the most useful in production of the book? 2. In establishing a concept for the book, what problems were encountered? 3. What is the visual relationship between the printed images, the book, and its container?

My work dealt with the life within inanimate objects and what occurred when one placed apparently unrelated objects together in an arrangement. The arrangements had three interrelated elements: the objects, spacial relationships, and materials.

Feline images have been an element in much of my work since 1981. These cat images were usually included in self-portraits. As my work progressed, the feline images increased in importance until 1985, when I abandoned the self-portraits almost entirely and began working predominantly with the cats. Although the feline image has been an important aspect of my work for several years, I never attempted to discover what these images symbolized or meant. I rarely thought consciously about the content of my work, as i arrived at my images primarily in an intuitive manner.

I examined and evaluated three sets of gallery installations and related handmade books. The following questions were considered foremost: 1) Visually, how different from and how similar to the gallery installations are the books? 2) What verbal elements are adapted from the installations to the books? 3) How does the difference in format (that is, the books) alter or affect the content and meaning of the installations?

The purpose of this project was to investigate the use of non-traditional painting techniques on the images of my work. The following questions were specifically considered. 1. When and why in the process do decisions occur concerning the following: A. Subject or idea or motivation? B. Materials? C. Shaping? D. Color? E. Texture or embellishment? 2. Does the motivation change at any point in the process? 3. With the emergence of the final form is there an awareness of content (or intrinsic meaning) which was absent or completely nebulous at the inception?

The problem being dealt with concerns the investigation of the conceptual and expressive potential of mold-formed units in combination with other media and processes. The questions under consideration are as follows: 1. Do the concepts of pieces vary with the materials and process being used? How? 2. What alterations occur in the visual image as a result of the change in media and processes? 3. What mechanical and technical problems are involved in the mold-formed process?

As much as I like the effects of low-fire salting, I hesitate to use salt. The hydrochloric acid released into the environment during the salting process creates a dense fog that is not only toxic, but visually offensive as well. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to find a source of sodium that would achieve aesthetic results as equally exciting as the effects of salt.

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate how imagery evolved in my work, in dealing with the relationship between body and landscape and the relationship between image and abstraction. Five paintings were created for the investigation of the evolution in my imagery. A journal of notes was kept concerning each piece while in progress and immediately following its completion. The analyzing method was a visual analysis of the structure and content, as well as the process through which the imagery evolved.

My concerns relate to the process of imagery development and the process of utilizing suitable materials to execute my work. These concerns are dictated by the themes in a particular piece and revolve around an acute sense of loss. These themes are frequently presented with humor.

In order to arrive at a more consistent and clear personal understanding of the nature of art, I examined the ideas about art and aesthetics which were reflected in my works of the past several months. Some of the specific questions i asked in my investigation of the works were: 1. What are my thoughts on the role of content and form in my visual art? 2. What are my thoughts on the role of the viewer in visual art? 3. What are my thoughts on the role of permanence in visual art? 4. What are my thoughts on the role of appropriated imagery in visual art? 5. What are my thoughts on the role of expression in visual art?

The purpose of this study was to examine the difference between language and the use of visual imagery to represent experiences and ideas. It focused on the following questions: 1. Can the meaning of a painting be ascertained by analyzing the referents of the images and their relationships to one another? 2. How does the purely formal part of the painting function in the creation of meaning? 3. What is the difference in the meaning created by language and visual imagery when they were used to represent the same idea or experience? 4. Where do my ideas come from?

Two ways of apprehending reality were intimated; reality as a function of purely visual stimuli and reality as a substantial object. The problem was, therefore, an exploration of reality as a purely visual sense and reality as concrete form. In pursuing the project, I explored how each reality distinguished itself by separating each in the prior conception of the work and in the subsequent discussion.

In the history of ceramics my interest centers around times in particular cultures when ceramic containers were an essential part of life. I am most interested in functional pottery produced in nineteenth century North America between the years 1800-1870. This was a period in which some of the finest pots used for containing things were produced.

The purpose of this project was to manipulate imagery present within the Tarot in a symbolic and visual space working through my own process of preconception. Each of the finished pieces was to be derived through an initial traditional process and then altered by use of monoprint methods and the incorporation of found object directly upon the print surface to give the illusion of a three-dimensional character, or actually contain the print in a three-dimensional format.

The purpose of this project was to create and present groups of stelae which contain personal imagery derived from archetypal feminine symbols used as hieroglyphs. The groupings of the stelae, by nature of the problem, took on a ritual appearance. Two groups of twelve stelae each were constructed with materials and techniques used in a fiber tradition. Each individual stele was designed to function alone as well as in a group.

My interest in pictorial representationalism began when I started painting and drawing as a child, and my concern for working realistically continued and developed through my undergraduate years in college. In this investigation i explored the working processes used in a representational approach to contemporary woven tapestries. A brief discussion of the origins of representational woven tapestries with concentration upon Twentieth Century textiles was followed by an analysis of the influences upon my work by artists and stylistic trends.

The investigation concerned itself with the following questions: 1. What was the relationship of the structural grid system to the layered materials? 2. How much of the final results of the works were dependent on the process of constructing the pieces? 3. What processes were used to change surface quality? 4. What were the various methods of installation in a gallery?

This descriptive report is designed to document the development of this conceptual structure. The purpose is to clarify each aspect of the metaphor and its relationship to the conceptual structure thereby providing more organized , as well as new material to strengthen future work. This metaphor serves as a triggering mechanism for visual imagery.

The unique nature of this process raised major technical questions that I intended to address during this project. The purpose was to obtain a quality surface, considering both visual and textural considerations, while using the copper matt finish.