BIOGRAPHY

     A native of Quincy Illinois, I grew up on the Mississippi where my love of nature grew along the rivers edge.  As the seasons changed, I explored my surroundings and developed a love for the colors, textures, and patterns found in nature.  Earth and sky gifted me a profound appreciation for a beautiful sunset seen from the high bluffs overlooking the River, the patterns and textures of the lush farmlands along the bottoms, and the joys of  collecting rocks and geodes from creek beds. 
     I developed my love for clay at Quincy University where I Graduated with a BFA and a Certification in teaching.  raising a family while teaching left me little time for my own art making, but as I reached my golden years and began to move to teaching less and creating more, the excitement of a new phase in life kept me enthusiastic and inspired.  Then the Pandemic happened.  Yet this uncertain, scary period offered me a second chance to explore and grow. This was probably the most creative time of my life thus far.
     Through clay I began to find my way back to the earth and nature.  Many long walks exploring and collecting inspired my next phase of creativity and life. 
     I dedicated much of my initial selected works  on my website to pieces Done in 2020.