Jan Hoy

"Working in the abstract, I feel my work is free of reference and association. This lets me explore form uninhibited by traditional shapes, ideas, and expectations. Clay is my favorite medium, and all of my finished pieces start out as clay, even those made of bronze and steel. Building my sculptures in clay requires a slow and meditative process, one that is deeply satisfying to me. "

Jan Hoy works in clay, bronze, and steel. As both an additive and subtractive medium, clay allows her great flexibility in building her abstract sculptures. Adding a touch of the linear to her organic forms, Hoy finds the perfect counterpoint. She aspires to create forms that are satisfying in shape, simplicity, and balance, with the same sense of completion that a well-crafted lyric or story might have.

Jan Hoy's clay sculptures are hand built in stoneware. Each piece is unique and goes through a process of building, drying, firing, and finishing. The finishes Hoy uses are either an iron oxide or a blue patina. With certain forms, she creates a mold and casts them in bronze. Most forms are tabletop size. Others are scaled up to become larger outdoor pieces fabricated in steel.

Jan Hoy attended Washington State University for two years and then transferred to the University of Washington, where she earned a BFA with an emphasis on drawing and sculpture. Her university education served as a springboard for lifelong learning in the arts with professional work in fabric design, painting, and sculpture.