SARA’s earliest artistic explorations were in clay during the 1960s. She described in her journals the works of Hal Riegger, author of Primitive Pottery, as a major influence in her early stages of clay work.
After digging clay from the banks of the Snake River and hand-forming small vessels and altars, Sara fired her works in cow dung fire pits near the shores of Lake Channel, below American Falls, Idaho.
Sara’s later clay studio outside Pocatello was filled with a wheel, kiln, and slab table. She constructed the workspace after departing from studio art classes at Idaho State University due to a non-receptive environment.
Warrior, 11″h x 5.5″d x 3.25″w, Private Collection. One of the few glazed pieces remaining.
SARA smashed most of her clay kiln fired pieces in her large midden mound and buried early drawings and paintings there. The few remaining glazed pieces as well as her early primitive pieces have “JAC” as her identifier on the bases, referencing her married name at that time.
An example of SARA’s full-form bisque work. Round Earth, 5.5h” x 9″ dia., Private Collection
Her later full-form bisque fired works are without any signifying marks. Few of the total collection of clay works, such as Iron Pig, have survived to this date. She did, however, continue a lifelong use of bread dough, as anyone who ever entered her home could attest, as a medium to knead and bake hearty whole wheat breads, often mimicking the shapes of some of her early clay forms.