My journey in clay began when Clayworks first opened their door for classes in 1996.  Learning to use the pottery wheel had been something I wanted to learn since my high school days.  I signed on as a student not realizing how the many aspects of working with clay would feed my creative self.  As a student, it wasn’t just the clay that sparked my interest, it was the many aspects, glazes and glaze making, and firing that captured my interest.  After taking several classes with Clayworks I realized that this was a hobby I needed in my life for more than just a couple times a week, and signed on as a member of this group of like-minded people.

I have dabbled in many forms of artwork during my life, photography, leather tooling, painting and drawing, but have found working with clay to be the most fulfilling.  I have found throwing bowls, not only to be the most fulfilling to create, but I also consider the bowl to be a rich metaphor for life. 

It is said that in the Zen Buddhist tradition, a monk starts out each day with an empty bowl in his hands and whatever is placed in the bowl will be his nourishment for the day.  Each day is a fresh start.  This bowl is a rich metaphor for life.  Is my bowl full?  Is it overflowing?  Is there room for anything new to come in?  When working with clay I find myself guided by the image of a bowl……………..A begging bowl.