Ceramics
Ongoing

I love making art out of mud, and using a wheel requires a meditative stillness that’s good for more than making bowls. There’s also something special about opening a cupboard at a friend’s house and seeing a mug I made, knowing that it’s in their hands on a regular basis.

My first introduction to pottery was at UC Santa Cruz in 2004. UCSC was founded as a collection of small colleges, each with a unique focus, and also a unique co-op! By the time I started attending, most of the co-ops had closed, and new colleges didn’t start their own. Three remained: the Porter darkroom, the Kresge Food Co-op (which I helped run for several years), and the Merrill Pottery Co-op, which I immediately joined as a member. I didn’t have any ceramics experience, but by the end of the year could make chunky but passable bowls.

After I left the university I didn’t have a chance to play with clay for several years, until I took a class with Sam Clarkson, at Cabrillo Community College. Afterwards I re-joined the pottery co-op as a manager, which turned into a crash course in everything from mixing toxic powders into glazes to running a gas kiln at 2500 degrees Fahrenheit, hopefully without death or permanent disfigurement. I taught workshops on things like pulling handles and making custom stamps, and herded a lot of cats doing volunteer management to keep the space functioning smoothly.

I like organic and functional shapes, and regularly donate my work for silent auctions in support of a couple non-profits. If you see something special, hit me up! I always have more pottery than I can use.

A collection of cups made from red clay and a clear glaze that brings out a beautiful granite color from the iron in the clay. A collection of cups made from red clay and a clear glaze that brings out a beautiful granite color from the iron in the clay.
Prepping for a stamps workshop I taught for co-op members. Prepping for a stamps workshop I taught for co-op members.
Mud! Recycling clay scraps back into usable clay is dirty work. Mud! Recycling clay scraps back into usable clay is dirty work.
A mug from my A mug from my 'mountain' series. I made a few different shapes but kept the glazing pattern the same, using the transition between glazed and unglazed clay as a design element rather than something to be hidden.
Glaze detail of a mug from my Glaze detail of a mug from my 'mountain' series.
Our high-fire gas kiln loaded with greenware for a bisque firing. Our high-fire gas kiln loaded with greenware for a bisque firing.
In-progress experimental mugs, from when I was trying to find the ideal shape for both retaining liquid and fitting in my hand. In-progress experimental mugs, from when I was trying to find the ideal shape for both retaining liquid and fitting in my hand.
Respirators required for mixing glazes, which are often toxic and always very fine particles that aren Respirators required for mixing glazes, which are often toxic and always very fine particles that aren't great for your lungs.
Ramen bowl with a cobalt wash and clear glaze. Ramen bowl with a cobalt wash and clear glaze.