As a child in rural, northern NY, I was fascinated by the small details in nature. I spent hours in the woods making tiny houses with moss cushions and acorn cap bowls. As an adult, collections of lichen-covered bark and colorful stones sit on my windowsills. A quiet walk in the woods brings a restorative balance to my life, and I’m still fascinated by the small details waiting to be discovered. Through my work in clay, I hope to share that feeling of calm, quiet connection to nature’s artistic details.
My assemblages reflect my love of balanced rock cairns, rough bark, and the subtle patterns, marks, and traces left by wind, water, and time. Seed pods, lichen, and even worm trails provide ideas for shapes and textures! My interest in old houses, and feeding backyard birds inspire my impressionistic versions, adding personality and color to my work. Each sculpture is one-of-a-kind.
Creating organic forms and surface designs are my favorite parts of the process. Adding texture with shells, rocks, and sticks further connect them to the earth. Glazes, stains, alternative firings, and cold finishing techniques highlight the surfaces. Rather than planning a design, I stack random elements until they form balanced connections. This method brings many creative and technical challenges, but it keeps the process fresh and interesting. I’m always excited to see a design come together in unexpected ways!