About the Artist

I think I have always been a potter at heart. Even after more than 30 years of working with clay, I still find it exciting to go into the studio every day, exploring and pushing the limits of what I can do and what the clay can be made to do. I love seeing what happens. 

Growing up it never occurred to me that I could be an artist so I chose architecture as my career. It wasn't until my fourth year majoring in architecture at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA that I discovered my passion to be an artist. We were supposed to design an art department for a college campus and the more we researched art schools the more I knew that art school was where I wanted to be. 

Now I had a soul-searching decision to make. Should I stay on my safe and chosen path towards a career in architecture, I had only one year left in school, or should I follow my heart into the unknown and become an artist? I took a deep breath and followed the excitement I felt in my heart about creating with clay. 

With a change of majors and a change of schools I earned my BFA in Ceramics from California College of Arts and Crafts (now CCA) studying with Viola Frey, who loosened me up after all those years with a triangle and T-square, and Art Nelson who nurtured my love of throwing.

After graduating I went to Crete, Greece to study Minoan art history and pottery. My two interests of architecture and art were blended so well that summer, it was a very special time for me. My love of the Mediterranean blues and bold colors came from my time on Crete and subsequent travels throughout Greece and they are still evident in the work I make today.

Now that many years have passed I can see that the decision I made as a 22 year old set me onto a course that has turned into a wonderful art-filled life where each day holds a new creative adventure for me. I love that my new path led me to a place where I could add joy and meaning to people’s lives through what I create in my studio and I am honored each time I get to create a commission that holds special meaning for one of my collectors. I am so glad that I followed my heart!

Plan a Studio Visit

The studio is where the magic happens. Mine is in the small town of Philo in Mendocino County where I’ve repurposed a gas station on Highway 128 into a place I call, The Pot Shop. It is a joy filled space where my works in progress come to life all around me.

I enjoy meeting people who stop by my studio to watch me work, share my passion for my pottery and purchase what I’ve made. Visitors are always welcome!

If you can't come see me in person, be sure to join my on-line community to have a front row seat to see what's happening at The Pot Shop! Each Saturday morning I share a little bit of studio magic by sending out a short, hopefully entertaining, story from the studio.