My introduction to clay work came as an art student at Sault College in Sault Ste. Marie in the mid 1980s. As part of the program I was enrolled in, I was required to take a pottery and sculpture class. At that time my focus was on printmaking and illustration but, after placing second in the graduating class juried art exhibition to an amazing sculptor, I realized the impact of three dimensional art.
Years later I took a wheel pottery class. Eventually I took a hand-building class which became my passion. I joined my local Potters Guild where I honed my craft and began teaching pottery classes through my local art centre. I also taught classes to children from kindergarten to Grade 8 as part of an in-school program offered by the arts centre in Tillsonburg.
I was Chair of the Station House Potters Guild from 2013-2016 where, aside from teaching, I hosted a once a week potters drop-in which provided an opportunity for guild members to use the studio in the evening. When the pandemic hit in 2020 I began working solely from my home studio in Tillsonburg.
I create functional art; items that can be used in the home. The majority of my pieces are made using a variety of hand-building techniques such as slab and coil, but I do throw pieces on the wheel too. I use several methods of decoration, including sgraffito and stencil work. I incorporate texture on most of my work, which emphasizes the beauty of various glazes.
I have participated in exhibits and markets through the Station Arts Centre and The Art Project in London. I am excited to be a new member of Art in the Park in Stratford.