My early experiences with clay include making animals in an Iowa elementary school and creating sculptures in high school. I also took ceramics courses to learn wheel-throwing and hand-building techniques while earning a BFA degree at the University of Iowa.

 

After moving to Texas, I returned to school to pursue a degree in education. Now I’ve been teaching first grade for the past 20 years, and working with clay has become a relaxing therapy for me. My clay work is guided by my talented mentor Renee Lindquist, at the Ceramic & Pottery Center.

 

As a clay artist, I like the challenge of shaping a lump of clay into something interesting and beautiful. I enjoy combining smooth wheel-thrown forms with textured hand-built pieces, and my work is inspired by plants and nature.

 

I try to put a lot of thought, time and care into making pieces that are functional and decorative, and I am amazed by the endless possibilities of creating in clay.