Artist statement…

Life without animals would be grim and dull, I think. They fascinate, inspire and move me. Although I love most artistic mediums, clay sculpture seems particularly satisfying for exploring animal forms, gestures, texture…all the aspects I enjoy. (It doesn’t hurt to have an intense, amazing potter-husband to help me along with technical questions and with the firing process.) Most pieces are wood fired, some in salt as well.

My favorite part of making these pieces is that time when the sculpture is underway, but presenting some structural or compositional problems so that there seems to be an odd dialogue between the clay and me. I step outside the studio and hold my dog, Maggie’s head in my hands, notice the curve of her nose, the soft dense feel of her coat, then head back to work. Sounds corny, I know, but art is both funny and profound to me.