top of page

 Using qualitative reproductions of my pen and ink drawings as the foundation for my creations, I then employ these using various media and techniques to create a wide range of products.   Printed images are used  to create collages, decoupaged items, and decorative wall coverings.  For decorating ceramic items,  I apply professionally printed Decalcomania reproductions of my designs to hand-made and/or LOCALLY (East Liverpool, Ohio) produced ceramic products which then are commercially fired at 1400 degrees F.  Many of the ceramic tiles I use are hand-molded at the Seneca Tile Co, an Ohio producer which, interestingly, still fires in 19th Century beehive kilns.          

​

CERAMIC TILE   

TEXT ABOUT TILES 

AVAILABLE SEMI-CUSTOM DESIGNS  

Heading 5
JUST FIRED TILE (detail)_One of a set of
_TREE OF LIFE_ panel_Upper 6 of the 12 t
_POTAGER TRELLIS_ tile design
_POTAGER TRELLIS_ tile design
_POTAGER TRELLIS_ tile design
_POTAGER TRELLIS_ tile design
_POTAGER TRELLIS_ tile design
_POTAGER TRELLIS_ tile design
Heading 6
_POTAGER TRELLIS_ tile design
_POTAGER TRELLIS_ tile design
_POTAGER TRELLIS_ tile design
_POTAGER TRELLIS_ tile design
Untitled
Untitled
CUSTOM DESIGN OF CERAMIC TILES       
FINISHED FIRED SAMPLE TILE.jpg

10 1/2" HOMER LAUGHLIN DINNER PLATE  (White Fiesta)

Because of the heavier weights of these products, I envision their use as "patio wares" -suitable for casual dining.  With this idea in mind, I would like to develop other patterns inspired by important ceramic sources, but interpreted informally.  
10 1/2"  Dinner Plates (White or ivory Fiesta)
11 3/4"  Chop Plate (White or ivory Fiesta) 
10 3/4"  Square Dinner Plate (White or ivory Fiesta) 
Other sizes available and decoration can be customized. 
TRAYS/PLATTERS
12" diameter Pizza Tray
12" by 15 1/2" Hall China oval platter 
​
​
​
​
​
PLEASE NOTE: The above items are manufactured by the Homer Laughlin Co.  My designs are my own and are fired to these commercially manufactured wares.  My decoration of these wares DOES NOT represent any affiliation with their manufacturer. 
​
​
​
​
​

LEFT: my original pen and ink working drawing from which the decal was produced.                         

RIGHT: the design applied to a 7" Hall China "brique-a-vin" (wine chiller) or utensil crock

_TREE PEONY_ brique-a-vin
IMG_4800.jpg
IMG_4769.jpg
The Hall China 7" Wine Chiller/Utensil crock
is an ideal vehicle for  personalization such as this one executed  for the PA community of Sewickley)
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
_TREE PEONY_ brique-a-vin personalized f
Hall China Oval serving platter 

     MY COMMITMENT TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY   

IMG_8524.jpg

Create Jobs for USA: the local AMERICAN MUG & STEIN CO. , producer of wares for STARBUCKS COFFEE 

 'MADE IN AMERICA" featuring the Homer Laughlin Company

The Pontalba Ironwork Coffee Mug

     After developing tile designs, it was a logical step to consider the locally produced products of the potteries.  East Liverpool is still the home of The HALL CHINA CO., a subsidiary of the HOMER LAUGHLIN CO, the manufacturer of the world famous FIESTA WARE.  In addition, the town's former Pioneer Pottery was purchased and became AMERICAN MUG & STEIN CO.  It is with immense satisfaction that I am able to offer not only American made goods but ones that are COMMUNITY made.   It is interesting to note that Starbucks recognized this value and contracts with American Mug  and Stein for its products.   Attached are two videos which highlight Homer Laughlin and American Mug and Stein.

     I wish to emphasize that, while I use the wares produced by these local businesses, I am not affiliated with them, and my designs are my property.  Each piece that I decorate is backstamped with my logo and a disclaimer stating this fact and an affirmation that decorations are lead free. 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

001.jpg
_PONTALBA WROUGHT IRON_ _The original pe
The intricate iron work adorning the venerable (circa 1840's)  Pontalba buildings, flanking Jackson Square in New Orleans, was among the first installations of that architectural detail which would contribute so much to the definition of the city's character.  While enjoying a coffee and a beignet ("a" single beignet?! LOL), I had the idea to base a design on the filagree as a component to be used in a collage.  Later, I realized that the elongated panel could be adapted as the decoration for a coffee mug that would remind me of that experience of enjoying a beautiful morning on the Square.    
Monogram option for the Pontalba wrought
File_000.jpeg

                               "ASH WEDNESDAY SERIES"   

            Related designs for collages, tiles and various items.   

ASH WEDNESDAY SERIES #4_Inspired by a ma

While walking on Magazine Street in New Orleans on the day after Mardi Gras, I observed an early flowering magnolia tree festooned with the everpresent strings of beads.  Inspired by this sight, I began generating  drawings which form the basis for the creation of collages, ceramic tiles, and various other products.  Combining these works with other New Orleans related details,  this series evokes the unique spirit of the Crescent City.  

Preliminary layout of one of the _ASH WE
_ASH WEDNESDAY I_ _Limited edition colla
_ASH WEDNESDAY_ tile design_The design i
ASH WEDNESDAY SERIES 
This series was inspired by the sight of an early blooming magnolia tree festooned with beads on Magazine Street in New Orleans on the day after Mardi Gras. 
The exquisite beauty of Washi papers.jpg
Original pen and ink drawings of main images and elements. 
Prints, made from my original pen and ink drawings, are hand tinted, the backgrounds excised, and further manipulated by remounting and collaging using various handmade Japanese Washi papers and tissues.  Also decals are made from my drawings and then fired to tiles and other ceramic products.
​
Study of paper combinations for _ASH WED
Tree on St.jpg Charles.jpg
The _ASH WEDNESDAY_ design adapted to th
Collages-New Orleans series- work set as
Untitled
_ASH WEDNESDAY SERIES__collage
_Ash Wednesday_ Series #1_  Finally fini
_ASH WEDNESDAY I_ _Limited edition colla
Untitled
 Tile Design and design @75% used in photocopy mock up for decoration of a brique-a-vin. These  would be printed in brown and then hand colored with ceramic paints and refired to become permanent.  Tiles would be available in any square size from  2" by 2"  to 11" by 11"
Collage detail: the background excised, hand tinted, and mounted on celery green Mingei 
Detail _Ash Wednesday_ collage series #1
HOPS & BARLEY BEER STEINS  made to order  Each is  signed and numbered

24 oz BEER STEINS, original design by David B. Kelly, made to order.  Each stein is made at AMERICAN MUG & STEIN, an Ohio company and is signed and numbered.   Contact by e-mail

TOP LEFT: Preliminary working cartoon to develop final design. 

LOWER LEFT: Detail of decoration

RIGHT: decorated and fired finished 24 oz beer steins.

BELOW: Each stein is numbered and signed 

"NIGHT MOTHS" 

Each stein is marked with my logo and bears the number of its production 
15" diameter Homer Laughlin White Fiesta platter (discontinued) 
 7" Hall China brique-a-vin/utility crocks  

IN PROCESS: Designs for plates, tiles, placemats, and serving wares.  

Photocopy mock up of 10_ plate design _M
MORELS & VIRGINIA CREEPER 
To be fired in brown on ivory bodyto emulate 19th Century  brown transferware
Layout experiments
"LES SALTIMBANQUES"
6 different figures to be used as the central elements of plates which then will be decorated further with sprigs in the style of 'FAIENCE DE MOUSTIERS"
_POTAGER TRELLIS_ tile design
Staffordshire Sparrows  plate                            Potager Trellis tile
Detail of circular design.jpg
PLACEMAT DESIGN RESOLUTION_The bottom el
Chinoiserie serving platter                         15" scalloped peony placemat
or 15" diameter placemat

PRINTS  FOR DECOUPAGE 

"MEDALLION" 
Decoupage element.  I based this on an antique Sandwich glass tieback.  This could be printed in any color and any scale. 
TROMPE L'OEIL BOOKCASE (details)
"Hommage a Proust"
bottom of page