After the popularity of feminine porcelains faded, I began working with stoneware. It wasn't nearly as fussy as porcelain, and made a welcome change.  It too was very successful, but I never felt very creative with it, and after several incredibly productive years I decided it was time to start making pieces again that were more artistically challenging. 

In 2001, I began playing around with leaf impressed, handbuilt forms, and discovered a whole new world of possibilities.  In some cases I treat each individual leaf shape as a pattern piece, joining leaves together at the seams to make three-dimensional vessels.  Other pieces are assembled by overlapping or wrapping leaves to form interesting or unique shapes.   Most of these pieces are available in either stoneware or porcelain. 

I still live in an old stone tenant house on my great-grandparents' farm, fixing it and other buildings when I have the time and money.  My mother, one brother and his family, an aunt and a cousin, also transplanted Washingtonians, also live on the property in their own homes, and in 1998 we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the family farm.

In my spare time, I read as much as possible, garden, and enjoy the lakes in the summer.  I've also started raising some very lovely chickens, the 'ladies', and spoil them rotten whenever I can; in return, they present me with their lovely eggs every day, and try to follow me wherever I go.   I also spend a lot of time with my family, collect as much old furniture as I can fit into the old buildings to restore later and, whenever possible, travel.

It's really all quite wonderful, this life of mine.

 2009 Show Schedule