I received my BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Illinois in the mid 80s. While working as an Art Director in Chicago I began attending various community center pottery classes as a creative outlet. Throwing clay is exhilarating. On the first night I sat at a potter’s wheel, the feeling of wet clay spinning through my fingers drew me in. With my hands I can form a bowl, cup or plate from a lump of clay. Years later, it still amazes me.
Eventually I found Lillstreet Art Center in Chicago where my passion for clay was nurtured. I studied with a variety of instructors for 5 years. Then I became a private studio member and teacher at Lillstreet for another 3 years. I began doing weekend art shows and dreamed of becoming a full time potter.
In April of 2003 the opportunity came. I relocated to northern Wisconsin to pursue my dream at a small local art center. As a resident artist I was able to work daily in the studio, teach classes, and help manage a gallery. By 2005, this former “city girl” made the Northwoods her permanent home. I bought a “little blue house in the woods” in Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin and built my studio (Pigeon Road Pottery). I juggled pottery making and part time jobs for 10 years. Then in the fall of 2014 took another chance, bet on myself and made the leap to full-time potter. It’s been the most rewarding struggle of my life.
Moving to the woods was instrumental in the development of my personal style. The forest is alive with texture and movement. I gather inspiration from the plants and animals that envelop my surroundings every summer. During the long winters I find them in my imagination. I carve and stamp clay with unplanned abandon — striving to make my marks loose and spontaneous — as if they grew from the piece itself.
My decorative stoneware dishes are intentional, functional, one-of-a-kind objects. The greatest compliment I receive is hearing that a piece I’ve made has a special spot in someone’s home, but is also used at their table.
Eventually I found Lillstreet Art Center in Chicago where my passion for clay was nurtured. I studied with a variety of instructors for 5 years. Then I became a private studio member and teacher at Lillstreet for another 3 years. I began doing weekend art shows and dreamed of becoming a full time potter.
In April of 2003 the opportunity came. I relocated to northern Wisconsin to pursue my dream at a small local art center. As a resident artist I was able to work daily in the studio, teach classes, and help manage a gallery. By 2005, this former “city girl” made the Northwoods her permanent home. I bought a “little blue house in the woods” in Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin and built my studio (Pigeon Road Pottery). I juggled pottery making and part time jobs for 10 years. Then in the fall of 2014 took another chance, bet on myself and made the leap to full-time potter. It’s been the most rewarding struggle of my life.
Moving to the woods was instrumental in the development of my personal style. The forest is alive with texture and movement. I gather inspiration from the plants and animals that envelop my surroundings every summer. During the long winters I find them in my imagination. I carve and stamp clay with unplanned abandon — striving to make my marks loose and spontaneous — as if they grew from the piece itself.
My decorative stoneware dishes are intentional, functional, one-of-a-kind objects. The greatest compliment I receive is hearing that a piece I’ve made has a special spot in someone’s home, but is also used at their table.
