When my kid Lil was young, we took ceramic open studio classes together at the local rec center. I was usually the only adult participating in the short sessions with minimized materials. I challenged myself to use discarded scraps to make quickly, without a pre-planned outcome. The resulting flat wall hangings were often incised with plant or food themes and decorated with layers of simple glazes for surface interest.

In 2023 I quit a job that was quickly leading to burnout and turned to ceramics to bide time while job searching.

I practiced tile making with a variety of clays and techniques in a few Central Ohio community studios. A chance turn on a walk while vacationing in Monterey California led me to Guillermo Wagner Granizo’s 9×45 foot tile mural, and the cuerda seca technique he used.

I am beginning to hone in on the forms, materials, and themes that I like to create most, with a long list of future project ideas. I continue to persue inspiration from ceramic tile art and artist-led workshops.