About

Artist Statement:

In 2001, the clay journey began when I took a beginning wheel throwing class at Oakland County Community College (OCC) in Royal Oak, Michigan. Charles Blosser was the teacher at that time. Since then, I have primarily worked out of three labs: OCC-Royal Oak, Wayne County Community College District (WC3D)-Downriver, and the Potters Guild in Ann Arbor. As the years went by my skills in clay improved. In 2006, I was competent enough to be hired to teach a beginning and intermediate community education class in ceramics at WC3D-Eastern Campus (Conner St. in Detroit) for the Fall 2006 and Winter 2007 terms. I have participated in several community sales: Art Ambience in Downriver (South of Detroit), the Downriver Council of the Arts, the Potters Guild and Yourist Studios, both in Ann Arbor.

My work primarily consists of wheel thrown ceramics but also includes some hand building. I feel that the best pieces incorporate the union of the two disciplines. I have experimented with slips with an emphasis in the complex sinuous form of slip marbling. A pot divided into sections enhances clarity. A bead added to a form, or making an elaborate foot, gives substance. Texture on a pot’s surface adds interest.

Curriculum Vitae:

Education/Classes

University of Michigan – Dearborn, School of Engineering

Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering, December 1990

Oakland County Community College – Royal Oak, Michigan

  • Ceramics, Charles Blosser, 2001-2004
  • Ceramics, Alan Paulson, 2011-2012

Wayne County Community College District – Downriver Campus, Taylor, Michigan

  • Ceramics, Roy Steyskal, 2004
  • Ceramics, Marta Cheetham, 2006-2014

Potters Guild, Ann Arbor, Michigan

  • Debbie Thompson, Spring 2009
  • Jane White, Fall 2009
  • Alex Pratt, Winter 2010
  • Brigitte Lang, Winter 2014
  • Jane White, Winter 2020
  • Alexander M. Clinthorne, Winter 2024

Yourist Studios, Ann Arbor, Michigan

  • Kay Yourist and Nancy Bulkley – Advanced / Intermediate Fridays, Winter 2020
  • Alex Pratt – Advanced and Intermediate Clay, Winter 2021
  • Aaron Cole, Bigger Pots on the Wheel, September 2021

Teaching Experience:

Wayne County Community College District – Eastern Campus (Conner St – Detroit)

  • Community Education, Beginning Ceramics – Fall 2006
  • Community Education, Intermediate Ceramics – Fall 2006
  • Community Education, Beginning Ceramics – Winter 2007
  • Community Education, Intermediate Ceramics – Winter 2007

Workshops Attended:

  • NCECA Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 2008
  • NCECA Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 2018
  • NCECA Minneapolis, Minnesota, March 2019
  • NCECA Cincinnati, Ohio, March 2024
  • Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, 2012 – John Glick
  • Three Days of Clay, 2008 – Bill Van Gilder
  • Three Days of Clay, 2010 – Meira Mathison
  • Three Days of Clay, 2012 – Tom Coleman
  • Three Days of Clay, 2015 – Jennifer Allen
  • Three Days of Clay, 2016 – Boomer Moore & Mark Nafziger

Pottery Sales:

  • Fall Festival of the Arts, 2009
  • The Guild’s Fall Sale, 2009
  • The Guild’s Spring Sale, 2010
  • Fall Festival of the Arts, 2010
  • Art Ambience Juried Spring Fine Art Exhibition, 2010
  • Fall Festival of the Arts, 2011
  • Fall Festival of the Arts, 2014
  • Yourist Studio Holiday Sale, December 2021
  • Yourist Studio Holiday Sale, December 2022