I have been practicing the art of ceramics for over 10 years.  For me, working with clay is about form and surface.  The form can take many shapes – functional or sculptural, figurative or abstract.  The opportunities for surface decoration are endless – traditional glazing, mixed media, paints, powders, epoxies, or bare textured clay with clear wax.

I love to play with clay for all of these reasons and more, but mostly I work with clay to explore the many stories that have shaped my humanity. These stories are personal and profound: the ever vigilant and loving mother, the motherless child at fourteen, a survivor of several near-death experiences, a woman finding peace.

Figurative work is especially meaningful to me. Creating a human or animal face allows me to discover emotional themes in my personal history: fear, anger, sadness, defiance, joy, doubt. The furrow of a brow, the arc of a smile, the tip of a tongue – a slight change in any of these features can tell dramatically different stories.

As I bring my sculptures to life, I am revealing my stories for all to experience. I hope that my practice in the art of ceramics inspires others to explore, understand, and share their stories as well.