I am a potter. I started working in clay when I was 4 years old.
I graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a B.S. in Microbiology in 1963. I returned to clay part time shortly after graduating and attended numerous classes at Greenwich House Pottery in New York City, Old Church Cultural Center nearby in New Jersey and Clay Art Center, Port Chester, New York.
In 1977, I was the founding director of The Gallery at Hastings on Hudson, a non-profit municipal gallery. I was also a founding member of the Hudson River Potters, a potters’ mutual support group. During this time I also took classes in weaving and basket making with natural fibers. I have incorporated some of these concepts into my ceramics – particularly the woven plates. My family and I moved to California in 1978, and I have been a full-time potter ever since. Over the years, I have had pots in numerous national & international exhibitions & competitions, ranging from the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian to The Minneapolis Institute of Art.
I enjoy making pots for everyday use; each is a subtle variation of a form – usually created in a series. I am a perfectionist (as much as the process allows) and am constantly in search of the perfect surface and ideal form while striving to create pots that have life and vitality. I love having the opportunity to fire in a wood kiln and make special work for that to take advantage of the ash & heat.
Working in clay is an endless technical challenge. Perhaps my training as a microbiologist has helped provide me with the patience required to not just physically create my work, but to push through those technical challenges and the unending variables to create the work I envision. I am also a very practical person, which leads me to primarily make pots for use.
In addition to being a potter, I am an advocate for crafts and the life of a craft person. I have served on craft organization boards in various capacities from president to advisor: Craft Emergency Relief Fund +, Board, Association of Clay & Glass Artists of California, Board, Editorial Advisory Board of Ceramics Monthly, Palo Alto Art Center Foundation, Board, Watershed Center for the Ceramics Arts, Advisory Board, and The Marks Project Advisory Board (an online ‘Dictionary of American Studio Ceramics).
I have also done extensive travel to countries all over the world – from India to Italy. I always seek out potters to visit, both contemporary and traditional. I must confess that my favorites are the simple earthenware jugs and vessels that have been made all over the world since the beginning of civilization.
I hope this website gives you a sense of me, my pottery and the inspiration that keeps me working. Feel free to contact me with questions or comments.