Earth, Woman and Fire Pottery 
made with Whidbey Clay

Decades of interest in clay have lead me to study many different aspects of this medium.  I was introduced to pottery, as most students are, while in art classes in high school. In the late 60’s several art teachers chose my work to be displayed at the annual Anacortes Arts and Crafts Festivals. In 1970 I was asked to assume my former art teacher’s position while he recovered from a serious illness. I found teaching, rather coaching, a very worthwhile experience. Since that time, I have been sporadically taking classes, teaching classes and selling my artwork.

Studying books about museum collections of ancient pottery and the teachings of the famous Japanese potter Soji Hamada, I realized that the clay we see everyday, right here on Whidbey Island, may be of great value as a working medium. I have developed a rustic method of refining our local clay, a process that requires at least one year. The smaller items that I make are made exclusively of this clay, while larger pieces may have commercially refined local Washington clays included for plasticity and durability.

Currently most of my outlets have been on Whidbey Island due to the interest of the Whidbey Island Clay. Public Markets and Art Fairs have been my main venue since 2003. Currently work may also be found at Hummingbird Farm, Greenhouse Nursery, and Garry Oak Gallery in Oak Harbor, Washington. Also, Artworks Gallery in Greenbank, Washington and Deception Pass Art Gallery and Visitor Center just South of Deception Pass Bridge. I may be using commercially refined clay in the future when selling “off island” as the time it takes to refine the clay far exceeds the time it takes to create the piece. There is a satisfaction however, in taking raw earth and creating artwork that can last eternally. Some of the pieces found in caves and archeological digs that I have studied have dated back to 12,000 BC in the Japanese Islands. Imagine having one of your pieces last that long.