Since I was a child, I have always loved getting my hands dirty, making sand castles at the beach or mud pies after a rain, or planting gardens with my Mom. I received my BFA in Ceramics and Painting from the University of South Florida in 1980. Upon graduation I continued to play with clay while I earned a living in engineering & networking. In 2019, I was finally able to dedicate myself full time to ceramics. Most of my work emerges organically when I sit down with the clay. As I play with shape, texture and scale, the process seems to guide me and I love to see what is revealed. The insides of my sculptures are as important as the outsides. I take great care in creating a bit of magic, mystery or even damage inside a work, that will only be discovered if the viewer takes a moment to peek. It is not until a piece is finally glazed and fired that I discover what it means and its personality. Environmental concerns for all life forms across the planet especially the health of our oceans, contribute to the emotions that shape my work. Building an expression of hope, anger, humor, or mystery into a mound of clay helps me feel connected to myself, the earth, the human condition. I primarily work in porcelain & paperclay, and I typically fire work to 2200 F. Many of my sculptures are fired multiple times to achieve the desired finish.
