I make my tiles with a stoneware/porcelain mixture that is prepared for pot throwing, fired to 2200°F. The finished tile is vitreous, meaning glass-like on the inside and usually has a smooth coat of clear glaze over the tile and any coloring that I might apply. The glaze resists scratching and can be easily cleaned with any detergent and scrubee. 

     The patterns on the tiles are 1/16’ to 1/8” lower than the surface of the tiles, in a bas-relief style so there is a tactile feel to the tiles. The tiles are virtually waterproof, even in the areas that are unglazed so they are easy to clean with water and detergent. (redundant?)

How I make tiles - 

I invented this process in about 1988 and have been refining it ever since (with a couple of slow decades where raising a family was my priority). My process evolved from what is called an “erosion” method of decorating ceramic pots where a design is applied in wax to the surface of a moist pot and then the surface is lightly rubbed with a very wet sponge, removing some of the clay that is not protected by the wax. My process involves squeezing a mass of clay into a flat slab, placing a mask that is similar to a silk screen that would be used for ink or paint printing over the slab and then spraying high-pressure water onto and through the mask. The piece is then dried fired, colored, glazed and fired again as with typical ceramic process*. My process is taught in more detail in my patent (U.S. 11,701,753)**.

Recently I have been experimenting with applying phosphorescent material to the to the water carved depressions in the surface of the tiles.

*I fire the stoneware/porcelain tiles to 2200°F so they are vitreous, waterproof, very strong and can resist freeze-thaw conditions of outdoor installation.

**please contact me if you would like to use my process.

Why I make tiles -

Making ceramic tiles has become a passion. Years of making round ceramic pots led me to develop a process that forms a bas-relief type of carved design into the surface of a still wet tile.

Making ceramic tiles has given me many opportunities to solve the many challenges that are inherent in the transformation of wet clay into flat, durable tiles with unique designs.

Making ceramic tiles lets me imagine that my designs might enhance the atmosphere  and make connection of peoples’ special spaces. I also imagine that the designs of my tiles will survive well into the future, taking the concept of “archival materials” to a whole new level.