My first exposure to ceramic arts came when I was a child. My family visited Blue Mountain Pottery in Collingwood. Gazing through the viewing window, I was mesmerised by the potters at work and marvelled at their ability to use the wheel to turn chunks of mud into mugs and bowls.
Many years later, my husband surprised me one Christmas with a gift certificate for a few throwing lessons, and I was completely hooked. I soon got my hands on a second-hand kiln and a hand-me-down homemade wheel, and began playing with clay in between raising my children, gardening with a passion, and working as an elementary teacher. Eventually, my husband built me an in-house studio that is big enough to house my creativity and to offer lessons to budding clay artists.
Apart from those initial few lessons, I am largely self-taught. I enjoy experimenting with different clays, techniques and glazes, and I am constantly bringing out new pieces and styles. There is no production line in my studio, as everything is made in small-batch, moving on to the next creative clay adventure quickly; my mind is constantly bombarded with new and innovative ideas. I love the challenge of combining mediums and making my ideas become a reality.
Every piece is intentionally and lovingly created a little different from the next. I encourage buyers to hold the mugs and other clay creations to ensure that they feel right in their hand.
My work is heavily influenced by the natural and rustic surroundings of Muskoka, and in particular by my love of trees. Now retired from teaching, I am able to pursue my love of all art mediums with an even greater zeal, playing with clay just as I had once dreamed of doing.