In working with Paul Scott and other artists using functional plates as their canvas, I've long wanted to experiment with this medium. While at the International Ceramics Studio in Kecskemet, Hungary I got my chance.

I was there attending a symposium in ceramics and print along with 15 other artists from around the globe. I had brought 50 lbs of my own clay but quickly used it in making the first ever print of "love is a Drug." I then had to switch to Hungarian clay bodies which proved disasterous ending with most of my work splitting in half. I don't think it was the material but rather my inexperience with it. Feeling very frazzled at having lost so much time and work I decided to try my hand at a plate. The ICS had a box of various ugly ceramic decals when I came across this fox decal which I am told is a famous Hungarian cartoon and also this mix was a decal of the grounds at ICS. Looking at little I had to go with it took some time before I came to this concept for this piece. Feeling outside myself at my inexperience with the new material I decided to make the plate about my frustration. I have placed myself outside the grounds of the ICS as I isolated myself in my studio feeling sorry for myself as I watched all the other artists working away. In the end we all had many problems working at the hurried pace to make enough work for two exhibits days away.