Dirty Dog Pottery
About the Artist
I began my journey in Preston, Idaho, the daughter of dairy farmers. My childhood days left an impression that is part of who I am today. My seven brothers and sisters and I worked hard at daily farm chores. However, it was the many hours spent creating my own worlds in the fields, barns, and down by the Snake river that I remember. This beginning helped me to find beauty in the simple things that surround our everyday lives.
During high school I discovered my love for Art. I spent much of my time drawing in journals, recording things that I found interesting. I then entered college and began courses to become an architect. I quickly realized I couldn’t shake my love of art and changed my major. I played with many mediums until I found myself down in the basement of the college in the Mud room. Clay quickly became my favorite way of creating and finding peace. I spent a year at the University of New Mexico trying to absorb as much from the Native clay community as I possibly could.
After college, I married and started my family of three. I worked for a few years at a home improvement store designing kitchens. Trying to juggle the schedules of job & family I found myself drawn to teaching. I spent a few years teaching third grade until an art position opened up. When I began teaching art to little children they opened up the part of me that had closed years earlier. I was flooded with creative urges that I couldn’t contain any longer.
I began a ceramics program at the school where I taught, and hosted art shows for the students’ work. Their enthusiasm fed my own enthusiasm to create. When I taught charcoal drawing I did portraits of my own children. Although I no longer teach everyday at a school, I continue to learn as much from children as they do from me. My “Come Out and Get Dirty” classes keeps me in touch with their energy.
Since 2006, I have been focusing more on my own work, and I have spent my summers working away. At shows over the past year, I have met some wonderful artists & crafters, who have inspired me to embrace this creative life.
My life at home is spent with my wonderful children, living amidst natural surroundings and textures. Rivers, lakes, trees and wildlife surround and influence me and my work.
Each show brings the opportunity to learn and share. Although I hope to send my wares home with the people I meet, I bring home much more than money. I come home wealthy with ideas, inspiration, understanding of how art affects others, and many, many new friends.