Biographical Statement
I was born in 1978 in my parents' living room, without electricity or indoor plumbing. After my sister was born my parents hooked up the power, having gotten tired of warming baby food over an oil lamp. About this time they also realized that with little kids the only way they'd have time to work by themselves was to have lights at night. I grew up appreciating a simpler lifestyle, and this continues today, in my own way. After 2 years in a 26' RV, I now live in an apartment above my gallery and studio, and am grateful for hot running water and flush toilets.
From Kindergarten through High School my sister and I were home schooled. We focused on art and agriculture, and spent lots of time in the woods, working on our farm, and exploring clay in our mother's studio. Probably the most important things in my career now are the hours my sister and I spent digging trenches in the dirt, building hideouts in the woods, and working with our animals. Though I didn't always live up to my expectations for myself, the capacity to work hard and keep going even when it's difficult have been invaluable skills learned on the farm.
I graduated from Principia College in 2000, after majoring in Studio Art with a focus in Clay.
In 2004 I spent the Fall semester at Fort Hays State University as a graduate level special student in Ceramics. This served to re-energize me and re-invigorate my artistic search.
Each of these parts of my life has allowed me the freedom to find what makes me happy and what gives me a sense of adventure in what I do each day.
Night Prairie, part of Prairie Trip Tic, 2004