Artist’s Statement

Although formally educated as an artist/teacher with my emphasis in ceramics, I spent my entire first career in the printing industry and only in 2017 was able to become a full-time ceramic artist. 

My parallel fascination with archaeology led me to studies at Crow Canyon Archaeology Center with two well-known Pueblo potters, legendary Southwest archaeologist Florence Lister, the archaeology staff of the Center and renowned Southwest ceramic typologist, Stewart Peckham. That had such a visceral impact on my connection with my art that I changed my making method to hand-building in 1990.

But rather than ground or pit firing, as the Pueblo artists prefer, I started firing with the salt-bisque method, later changing to fumed saggar firing, which remains my favorite method today.

Each piece delights me as I gently remove it from the kiln and together we tell the story revealed in its swirls and streaks. Perhaps it’s a wild flower from the high-mountain desert landscape surrounding my studio, a hoo-doo from the red rocks canyons, or boiling foam where a volcano poured her lava into the sea. It’s my prayer that you’ll find your own story in this art transformed from the earth.