I have always been a crafty, hands-on sort of girl. As a child I loved making everything from mud pies to paper dolls. As a teenager I loved sewing and knitting and crocheting. I fell in love with ceramics while in college and graduated with my BFA in Visual Art with my studio emphasis in ceramics from West Virginia University in 2013. Although ceramics is my main love, I enjoy experimenting with other types of media. Drawing, book binding, textiles, and mixed media hold a huge interest for me and I love learning new techniques and skills whenever possible. Additionally, I love the opportunity for community and connection that art makes possible. I've seen art serve as a connection point for so many great friendships and as a platform for opportunities to impact individuals and the world. This is something that I dream of exploring more in depth as I continue my artistic practice. For more of a background on who I am...I grew up on the east coast and have moved several times. I've lived in towns and in the boonies, on a farm and in the suburbs, in the mountains and near the beach. While this has given me an array of experiences it leaves me feeling as though I don't have a home base. Therefore one of my greatest muses in art making is the idea of home. That place of familiarity and belonging and connection is something we all crave and need. As someone who has moved many times and has to choose what to bring along to each new place I find that the things that always make the cut are the handmade blankets from my mom and grandma, the dishes that were made by friends from school, and the prints and paintings from friends and classmates. These items are what help me feel at home in any space. Seeing them and using them reminds me of the dear people in my life and the relationships and memories I have with them. While ultimately an object is just that...an object...I make things that speak of connection, history, shared interests and experiences and of home. Currently I have landed in a small town in west Michigan and in addition to art I love swing dancing, exploring my new town, watching documentaries on Netflix when it's cold out, and hiking and spending time outdoors when it's warm out (which in Michigan is only for about a month and a half...ha ha!). I like baking gluten free desserts and am trying to learn to be a better cook. I dabble in violin and poetry...and I like using elipses when I write. :) Thanks for dropping by this spot where I write my story and share what I'm up to. I'd LOVE to get to know you, so please leave a comment and introduce yourself too! |