Handcrafted objects have always held my attention. Growing up in the mountains of Tennessee, I was introduced at an early age to artisan of varying types. The “Plum Nelly” clothesline art show was held each Fall with brightly colored quilts, carefully glazed pots, and fine paintings all displayed among the leaves of the mountain top.

The idea that “I could do that” crossed my mind on occasion. I dabbled in pottery in the early 70’s but I chose to focus on family and a career in social work. I didn’t touch clay for almost 20 years. A gift of a potter’s wheel from Santa, combined with news from my son that two potters had come to visit his school and were teaching class, led me to consider working with clay again. Two years later I set up my own studio, left my job and began what has been a energizing journey of self discovery.

I have been fortunate to be able to take a number of workshops both at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, and Haystack Mtn School of crafts in Maine. The noted and experienced potters who teach these classes have been both encouraging and generous with their skill/ knowledge, and their personal stories of desire and even need to create. The weeks and months following these classes I have returned to my own studio feeling more secure in my skill level, and filled with an increasing sense that I was finding a side of me long overlooked. I felt like I had come home.

I have chosen to work in a porcelain clay body. The white body allows for a variety of decorating methods, much like a blank canvas. Sgraffito, embellishing, and brush work bring the piece to life, often enhanced by a surprise of color. The choice of the predominantly black and white palette adds a feel of urban sophistication to the work. Most recently I have begun to explore altering wheel thrown shapes to create more complex and interesting pieces.

In shaping and designing my work I am often inspired by the Asian influence of simple line and form. The idea that a piece can be put to daily use and also be an object of beauty is my goal. When my mug is the one reached for on the shelf, when one of my bowls is the “only” one for ice cream I have entered into a relationship with another that is both moving and profound. We are connecting. I like that thought.

Finding “one’s own voice” in any medium is always a challenge. Early on I focused on technique and skills needed to just complete a piece. With some feeling of competency in that area, I am now struggling with doing “my work”. All aspects of a piece: the rim or lip, the foot, the portion of the piece, the shape of the handle, must come together in such a way that the piece sings with form and expression. What a job! What fun!