I grew up in the Midwest in Madison, Wisconsin. I started drawing at a young age. Animals, especially horses, were a favorite subject. By the time I was ten years old, I had my own horse. We lived within walking distance of a boarding stable, so much of my youth was spent outside around horses, barns, riding and horse shows.

 

A desire to study art, a love of the outdoors, and a fascination with the West brought me to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff after high school. While studying drawing and painting, I spent weekends and holidays hiking with friends exploring the landscape of the Southwest. During my second year at NAU, I discovered clay and an inspiring, active ceramics program. After graduating with a BFA in ceramics, I spent several years working as a river guide on the Colorado River.

 

Anxious to pursue a career in art, I returned to NAU enrolling in the Master of Studio Art program. As a graduate assistant, I taught beginning ceramics classes. A few years later, my early teaching experience led to an adjunct teaching position. I taught art classes as a part-time instructor and ceramic workshops during the summer months, eventually becoming the ceramics studio coordinator. After teaching at NAU, I joined the full-time faculty at Coconino Community College as a fine art instructor and ceramics studio manager.

 

Today, I am a studio artist. For me, clay is the most exciting and challenging way to express my ideas. I enjoy the physical involvement of the clay-working process and the unpredictable and interesting outcomes of various firing methods. Inspiration comes from my life experiences, observations, and interests. Each piece is hand built with slabs and coils, shaped, carved, drawn on, finished and fired with slips and underglazes.