My
obsession with clay began at an early age. I remember stomping through
mud puddles and crafting mud pies to bake in the sun. Though I am
still inspired by childhood memories of the rural Northeast, I now
make time to bake pots in the beautiful New Mexico sunshine, which
I have called home for five years now.
Having studied clay extensively at
Franklin Pierce College in Rindge, New Hampshire, I held an apprenticeship
with local potter/musician Dwight Graves, who taught me how to make
drums, whistles, and other pit-fired pottery. From there I moved to
Taos to explore the Southwest. After several years of working in various
studios in both the Northeast and Southwest, exhibiting my work, teaching
in public and private settings, I now primarily work from my home/studio
in Taos Canyon, as well as working on collaborative projects with
local artists.
My current work takes a whimsical path
with Raku fired clay whistles, or ocarinas; singing birds, smiling
turtles, cats, fish with eyelashes, rabbits, etc; each critter with
its own personality and voice. Every piece is hand-sculpted, carved,
tuned and Raku fired in my kiln. I have also developed a special line
of Goddess whistles, which are pit-fired with local sage, forms are
reminiscent of Venus of Willendorf.
Lately, also I have been making a variety
of wheel-thrown miniature clay vessels, which my sister insists that
faeries help to make. Mini teapots, perfume bottles, goblets, jars
and vases line my studio shelves. I've been exploring a variety
of firing processes, primarily Raku, Cone ten gas reduction, Wood-firing,
Salt, and pit-firing. I look forward to future clay endeavors in a
variety of forms and processes. |
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