Finding workable clay in my backyard as a child first sparked my interest in clay.  That interest was renewed in college; in 1987 I received a BFA in sculpture from Columbia College. It was in 1996 that my relationship with clay was forever altered. I participated in a Raku firing– I was instantly hooked. Before, clay was just a step in the sculptural process, now it’s all about the clay and its possibilities.

Since that first Raku firing, I’ve learned about ceramics from books, workshops, potter friends and my own experiments, resulting in two related but distinct bodies of work.  Raku fired pieces, with their many variations in metallic and crackle glazed finishes; and smoke fired works which have no glaze and are burnished to create a smooth highly polished surface.

I am most drawn to the forms and techniques of the ancients; to me their pottery is pure, simple, mysterious, and anything but primitive.  As a clay artist in the 21st century I have access to a more diverse range of materials.  Through experimenting with higher firing temperatures, organic matter, and chemicals (such as salt), I have expanded my palette from the rich grays offered by more traditional smoke-firing, to include shades of red, orange, blue, and purple.

Working with these techniques continually challenges my attachment to outcomes while appealing to my passion for adventure, suspense, and immediacy.My hand-built clay vessels and sculptures are not pre-conceived, but form through an intuitive connection between my heart, hands, and soul.   I create the physical form but then must surrender my control to the unpredictability inherent in the firing process.  I strive to create pieces that compel people to touch and hold them– for me that is the ultimate compliment.

Recent Awards and Honors

• Group 4 Award, Clay Plus, Foundry Art Centre, St. Charles MO
• Second Place, Ceramics, Boone County Art Show, Boone County National Bank, Columbia MO
• First Place, Clay:  Body and Soul, Columbia Art League, Columbia MO
• Award of Excellence, Women in the Arts, Brady Commons Gallery, Columbia MO