Clay work has always been fun for me, so is an ever-evolving exploration and manipulation of the medium from a whimsical viewpoint. My inspirations are diverse, from interactions with artistic and witty friends and relatives, study with other artists, nurturing in a farm community, foreign travel, and an avid reading habit. I am process-oriented, so I like to see what develops in the exploration process. I combine wheel and hand formed clay components, along with non-clay materials and finishes to create fanciful, functional and non-functional creature forms that really become funny when they start looking back. The creatures have been appearing in many forms and environments over the years, as fluid fantasy beings, as soldier dragons inspired by Chinese terracotta warriors, as surprises in vessels, and as domestic animals in human pursuits--sometimes they drive cars! I hope that they inspire a smile or two from others, as well, in their everyday use and interaction.

I grew up in rural Mississippi, Tennessee and Ohio, a product of cattle farmers and artists. Several of my ancestors and family members were painters, but I chose clay while a college undergraduate at Ohio State University, discovering the joy and satisfaction of manipulating clay, and finding excitement in the sculptural possibilities and the sensuous aspects of clay. The clay wouldn't let me go, so after a short public school teaching career, I pursued graduate studies at the University of Tennessee. A teaching assistantship in the student center led me to a longtime interest in recreational crafts centers and a several-years career in managing military arts and crafts centers abroad and in the United States.

Over the course of my professional and personal lives, I have enjoyed teaching my art to others, and making and exhibiting my work.