Retiring from careers in geology and wildlife biology in 2014 Kirk began courses in
ceramics at Ventura College in 2016. His work is primarily functional ware
employing either the Japanese nerikomi technique or surface decoration using a
variety of colored slip application methods. His nerikomi work is primarily hand-
built and often involves slabs of colored clay or layers of colored clay extruded
through dies and formed into repeating patterns. His slipware decorated pieces
are either wheel thrown or slab-built and decorated by slip trailing or marbling
techniques.
His current work employs colored porcelain in various forms. The nerikomi
patterns he makes are typically tessellations of geometric shapes, which he finds a
fascinating contrast to the amorphous and homogenous nature of raw clay.
Almost diametrically in opposition to the rigid patterns and painstaking technique
of his nerikomi work, he enjoys the more organic fluidity of throwing and then slip
decorating with the somewhat random outcome of slip decorating, an ever-
interesting surprise.