June, CJ

Artist Statement
I have worked with clay for over 20 years now, and I am still transported by its earthy scent, its cool dampness and responsive nature at my hands. It is the only medium that seems to have direct and immediate access to my creative self. Being one of the oldest mediums, it was a perfect collaboration for the ancient and prehistoric images found on cave and rock walls throughout every continent. I share the reverence the ancient artists seem to have for their natural world. Though my work has expanded over the years to include the images of many other ancient cultures, the images on the cave walls in the south of France resonated with me the most. Here was the evidence for me that artists are the shamans of all societies.
To create the panels on which I paint, I begin rolling out large slabs of clay; then cut, carve and texture, each one different and unique. They are dried slowly over many days and moved ever so carefully to the kiln where they are fired to 2200 degrees. It take two days before the pieces are cooled enough to remove. The surface of these fired slabs is very much like painting on the limestone walls of the caves; porous and taking on pigment immediately and permanently. I consider the unique surface and contour of each piece, visualize and be certain where an image is to be placed. I suspect the ancients experienced the same considerations. The work is done in stages to layer color and add detail. I will study a piece for days after it seems to be complete, and still see needed detail. When a piece is truly done, I feel it more than see it. A sense of complete connection, balance, harmony with the images, a readiness to let it go.

About Artist CJ June

My deep reverence for nature developed early as I grew up at the foot of the Cascade Mountain Ranges of Northern California. I spent most summers hiking the wilderness for days and weeks at a time, feeling more at home in the wild than anywhere else. My encounters with Black bear, deer, and the host of other inhabitants always proved humbling and spiritual. My ventures beyond these mountains included living and traveling throughout Europe for two years. I made several trips to southern France and the Pyrenees Mountains where 30,000 year old cave paintings reflected the same reverence for the prehistoric horse, bision, aurochs, deer, bear and cat. I eventually returned home and began a formal college education, getting an AA degree in Early Childhood Education and teaching art and creative movement to my preschool children. I returned to college after a few years teaching to pursue my Bachelors degree in Psychology. I took several sculpture classes, working with a variety of mediums, discovering clay to be the one medium that touched my sense of reverence for earth and nature.
During my 25 year relationship with clay, I have been a member of an artist co-op and a featured artist for Womens History Month in Ashland, Oregon. I have many commissioned pieces hanging in private homes, have participated in art shows throughout Oregon. I am a member of Clayfolk, a growing organization of clay artists and my work sells through several galleries in Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
I currently live in a wonderfully secluded and forested place in southern Oregon. It is short walk from the house to my studio. There are bear, elk, deer, bobcat, cougar, fox and coyote here and after nearly 15 years in this place, I am deeply rooted and Home.

Artist Code: CJJ