I was born in Massachusetts and lived in a small German village and Detroit suburb as a kid. In 2007 I graduated from Michigan State University’s Honors College with a Bachelor of Arts in English with an emphasis in Psychology and Art History and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art, specializing in ceramics and sculpture.

For twelve years I taught pottery classes at community centers. Then in 2018 I survived a potentially career-ending injury that threatened to leave my left arm permanently immobile. Most of my doctors gave up on me because I have a rare incurable chronic pain condition called CRPS, complex regional pain syndrome. However, after regaining some motion in my fingers, one occupational therapist told me to go home and make a pot instead of giving me the usual exercises.

Since then I have focused on making and selling pottery. Occasionally, I teach or help with community events. I appreciate the grace and patience of clients and collectors who have supported my artwork while I continue on this clay path learning to live with CRPS.

I currently work from my home studio in Grand Rapids, Michigan, near a city park with lots of wildlife around my yard, a small garden and my dog Bella Marie. As a long-time appreciator of public radio, one of the highlights of my career was being interviewed by Lester Graham of Michigan Public Radio: