My Background
I'm originally from Sacramento, CA. I took a ceramics class while living in Osaka, Japan in 1995 and I've been a clay junkie ever since. I currently live in San Francisco, CA and my studio is located in San Mateo, CA. I teach wheel throwing and ceramic sculpture courses at College of San Mateo, City College of San Francisco, and Sharon Art Studio in beautiful Golden Gate Park. My work has been exhibited in CA, NY, MI, MO, OH, and Japan.
EDUCATION:
MFA Fine Art, San Francisco State University
BA Art, Stephens College
My Process
I make pottery and ceramic sculptures. I enjoy "wrangling" with clay in different ways.
POTTERY
I was first introduced to the vast world of ceramics on the potter's wheel when I was living in Japan, and I still love to throw. I'm no minimalist...most of my pottery is adorned with kitschy commercial ceramic decals, but sometimes I keep it simple with one glaze.
SCULPTURES
Some of my sculptures are combinations of clay and porcelain slip. Terrycloth rags, old clothes, and remnants of flannel are soaked in porcelain slip and often draped over a clay form. The fabric burns away in the kiln and porcelain and fire give the piece a new life. Drips, and especially cracks, are celebrated.Other times when I sculpt, the clay is squeezed, poked, coiled, and pinched.