ABOUT
My Journey
I was fortunate enough to be introduced to pottery as a young child. At the age of eight, my mom enrolled me in a kids clay camp, where I immediately became captivated by clay and the pottery wheel. I attended this camp for several years leading into my adolescence. At this time, the owner of the studio asked me to be her apprentice. Being a self-taught artist herself, my mentor instructed me in similar ways, allowing me to develop my craft through pure trial and error. I also strived to integrate ceramic art in my peer group through founding the National Art Society at my high school and helping facilitate the first advanced courses.
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Instead of continuing my artistic journey in college, I was drawn towards science and medicine. As an artist of an exacting standard, I endeavored to bridge the gap between science and creativity. Neuroscience is the discipline I was most intrigued by, and I spent five years trying to gain admittance to a neuroscience graduate program without success. In my moments of discouragement, I could always find solace in returning to my artistic roots.
I created this website to not only display my work, but to also share my experiences acquired over years of research and determination. Although it is not in the cards for me to pursue higher education at this time, I hope to inspire other scientists and artists to aim for success. Perhaps when one door closes, another opens. I see shared knowledge as perhaps the most beneficent gift one can offer to this world, in both art and science alike. This revelation is perhaps the bridge I have been seeking, and the prevailing presence of pottery in my life has taught me valuable lessons in gratitude and humility that no formal degree can match. After all, we are all elaborately connected in this quantum universe, and any contribution I make in my life is likely to benefit the whole. As modest as that contribution might be, I am immensely indebted to art for serving as my beacon of endless inspiration.
My Inspiration
I am most inspired my organic patterns and geometry found in nature, consisting of fluid and abstract elements. My work strives to display the beauty of symmetry but also inherently highlights imperfections. The carvings on each individual piece are approximated by estimation, therefore not quantified through rigid measurement. As a perfectionist, I challenge myself to embrace imperfection, as we are so often our own toughest critic. Sacred geometry and botanicals are what most influence my designs.
I also like to humorously think of myself as well as other ceramic artists as scientists in our own right. There is a beautiful essence of science that is naturally fundamental in wheel throwing, most prominently elements of physics. Chemistry is also exceptionally influential in the firing and glaze reactions. I have the utmost appreciation for each mechanism that occurs to create each unique piece of art. A high degree of patience and discipline is required to be a ceramic artist, and I look forward to expanding a community of like-minded individuals that share in this process, and frustration at times!
My Work
I work with a wide variety of clays and glazes. All my pieces are high fired and glazed with food safe materials. I tend to gravitate towards darker, grittier clays, so on occasion the finished product will sometimes have a sandy texture. I do use a diamond block to sand the bottoms of every piece to ensure a smooth finish, allowing surfaces in which they are displayed to maintain their integrity.
Carved pieces are not typically functional due to their inability to hold liquid and are thus meant for display and can double as luminaries. I also love making double walled vessels, which allow the piece to maintain a level functionality while incorporating carved elements.
If you are interested in a custom piece, I welcome you to please submit an inquiry. I see my craft as extremely fluid and am open to all designs that you envision for your custom piece!
