I have worked in clay for over 40 years. Throwing pots as a freshman in high school in New Jersey hooked me instantly. At University of Wisconsin in Madison as an undergraduate,I earned a BS in Art Education. While traveling after graduation I connected with Colin Pearson in England and loved his work. I worked as his assistant for the better part of a year. After returning to the U.S., I enrolled in the graduate program at San Francisco State University, primarily because I felt a strong connection to the work of David Kuraoka. Bronze, photography, and blown glass are some of the other media I have explored.

San Luis Obispo county became my home in 1988. I taught ceramics part time at Cuesta College for seven years. Realizing the prospects of landing a full time teaching position in this area were grim, I worked other part time jobs in order to support my art habit. Among those jobs was working as an emergency medical technician on an ambulance, which I enjoyed. I decided to pursue a career as a firefighter and returned to school. I put myself through grueling training to become a firefighter and paramedic. My 17 years at Morro Bay Fire Department and many years at San Luis Ambulance Service gave me the means to build and maintain a studio. It is a beautiful straw bale building with lots of light, two potters wheels, a 36 cubic foot gas kiln, several electric kilns, and a dedicated raku kiln. I am lucky to be able to raku fire, pit fire, and sawdust fire in my backyard.

I am finally able to take full advantage of my studio. I feel fortunate to live in the beautiful central coast area of California. My home and travels in other parts of the world provide me with a rich repository of images. The beach and the desert, seemingly opposite environments, are particularly inspirational. Rocks, shells, bones and other detritus are obsessively gathered for further contemplation.

During the last three summers, I returned to Cuesta College to teach a beginning ceramics class. Teaching gives me the opportunity to pass on my love of clay, and learn new ways of seeing from my students.