The Early Years...
I'm a late
baby-boomer born in Fort Collins, Colorado. At the
age of eight my family moved to Greece for two
years. During that time I visited many ruins and
museums throughout Greece, Italy, and Germany. This
exposure led to many of my ideas and had a direct
and profound influence on my work.
Early on, I found myself working with my hands creating interesting things. While in high school I participated in several art programs and found my calling. It was during that time I took a ceramic course and immediately fell in love with clay. Following high school I attended Arizona State University graduating in 1982 with a Bachelor of Fine Art in Ceramics.
Early on, I found myself working with my hands creating interesting things. While in high school I participated in several art programs and found my calling. It was during that time I took a ceramic course and immediately fell in love with clay. Following high school I attended Arizona State University graduating in 1982 with a Bachelor of Fine Art in Ceramics.
Starting in Cave Creek...
While exhibiting in
an art show in Cave Creek, Arizona, I decided I
wanted to live in the desert, with its incredible
sunsets, fierce monsoon storms, and abundant
wildlife. I hired local architect William Bruder to
design a studio in 1983, and spent the next year
building it myself. While the construction took
place, I lived on the grounds in a teepee, with my
dog and the coyotes for company. The experience of
teepee life and building a structure with only
basic construction skills was scary yet awesome and
exciting. It was another transformational phase of
my life in which I grew stronger emotionally and
creatively.
Different Methods...
Throughout the years,
I have continually looked for ways to develop new
and interesting ideas. Early on, my work consisted
mainly of using a propane and wood combination kiln
to fire bowls and platters. I later began
experimenting and refining the process to produce
beautiful vessels using the ancient raku Japanese
firing method. I then branched out into commission
work consisting of decorative sculptures, tile
murals, fountains, and sandblasted glass. For the
past several years, I have had the pleasure of
working with clients and custom builders producing
unique and dramatic architectural pieces such as
bathroom sinks, kitchen countertops, ceramic
columns, floor tiles, and sandblasted and painted
mirrors.
Inspiration...
Working in and being
surrounded by nature is what nurtures and inspires
my work. In creating ceramics, or in life itself,
the dichotomy of simplicity and complexity
constantly inspires and challenges. My work
embraces and embodies this theme. From the raku
process, to a woodfire technique, to sculpture, to
architectural pieces, I strive to maintain
integrity in my work and make it a beautiful and
timeless expression of my life and my
vision.
