Beauty + function

Functional pottery is a reflection and celebration of our daily lives. I strive to make durable pieces that you can weave into your everyday routine -- a well-balanced mug to hold the morning coffee, a jewel-toned bowl to elevate pieces of fruit, or a simple small plate for that last piece of cake. My art is joyous -- I'm not one to take myself too seriously. I enjoy gracing my pieces with the occasional playful touches of Mishima or sgraffito, often in the form of a whimsical fish or tree. Texture is also one of my favorite forms of surface decoration; I just love the way an intricately carved surface invites tactile exploration.

Exploration is a thematic element in my work. I'm lucky enough to live amongst some wonderful parks and trails. There's nothing better than starting the day by taking my yellow labrador Ollie on a quick hike, and then settling down to work on creative projects. Clay is so connected to the earth, so of course I'm inspired by my outdoor wanderings. It's immensely satisfying to take a ball of soft clay and turn it into a strong, beautiful vessel.

Of course, that ball of clay goes through quite the journey to become a functional and aesthetically-pleasing piece of stoneware. I'll throw the form on the wheel. Then, I'll remove it from the wheel and let it dry to a leather-hard stage. At that point it gets flipped upside down and placed back on the wheel so I can trim a well-defined foot on the bottom of the piece. I then make hand-pulled handles for my mugs and attach them, or I'll work on surface decoration. After the piece is dry it's known as "greenware," and it goes into a bisque firing. Once it's made it through the bisque firing, I glaze the piece and send it back for another trip through the 2200-degree kiln. This intense heat along with the glaze chemistry can produce some spectacular effects. Even though my glazes sometimes have a metallic sheen, all of my work is dishwasher, microwave, and of course, food-safe.

As with all art, the main point is the journey and not the ending. However I do hope that you enjoy my creations and that they live new lives and have new adventures with you and your loved ones. Thank you for stopping by to browse my wares and I hope to provide you with pieces that will bring you fond memories for years to come.