About

Current

For the months of April and May I have been accepted as one of the 2025 Resident Artists at Gaya Arts Center in Ubud, Bali. I have been dreaming of coming to Gaya as a resident since I first heard about it nearly a decade ago. Now that this dream has come to fruition, it feels surreal, and living in the artistic and cultural heart of Bali will make it the perfect place for creative exploration to occur. Almost two years ago, I had the privilege of assisting one of Gaya’s founders, Hillary Kane, during a two-week workshop at La Meridiana in Italy. During this time I was deeply inspired by her approach to clay which is predominantly hand-built, a technique I’ve always wanted to explore but never fully dedicated the time to.

For the past few years, my residencies have been centered around producing wheel thrown forms and decorating with the use of glaze and firing with gas, creating work that needs to support my travels. However, these next two months at Gaya will be different. This is a rare opportunity to simply create without the pressure of sales, exhibitions, or figuring out what to do with the finished work. For the first time in 14 years, I will not use a potter’s wheel to express beauty. Instead, I will immerse myself in hand-building, embracing failure, experimenting with new techniques, and allowing the unfamiliar to shape my work. I believe this is the true essence of a residency, dedicated time and space to push creative boundaries, be uncomfortable, and let the environment inspire new perspectives. Already, Bali’s nature, culture, and people have sparked something within me, and I’m eager to see where this journey leads.

Past

For more than a decade, I have immersed myself in a world of ceramics, where a deep love for clay has blossomed into a lifelong passion. This commitment, or obsession, has not only shaped my craft but also defined my journey as an artist, maker, and human in this world.

My early years started in Portland, Or where I worked for countless studios and artist; these include Mudshark Studios, Kelly Pottery, Multnomah Arts Center, and many more.

I’ve been fortunate enough to travel the world, learning from and working alongside incredible mentors, potters, and studios. One of the most pivotal points in my career was a one year stint at the renowned Leach Pottery in 2017, under the guidance of lead potter Roelof Uys. Here, I honed my technical skills and embraced the Leach philosophy of craftsmanship—balancing tradition with efficiency and finding beauty in functional, handmade objects.

Furthering my exploration, I spent time in Japan at the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art for the summer of 2018, where I immersed myself in the rich tradition of Eastern techniques, learning how to blend them with contemporary approaches..

My return to Portland at the beginning of 2019 consisted of 3 years as a potter at Wolf Ceramics, led by Sarah Wolf. I played a key role in increasing both the quantity and volume of work produced at Wolf Ceramics. Additionally, I helped establish a solid standard of quality, setting a benchmark that continues to influence Wolf Ceramics production methods today.

In 2022, I founded Culp Pottery, creating a space where I could fully immerse myself in the craft and further explore the possibilities of functional ceramics. During this time, I collaborated with clients on various projects, exhibited personal work, and produced custom tableware. Achieving this by the age of 27 felt like the peak of a long-held goal, yet something still felt incomplete. I found myself questioning, Is this really it? and wondering about the deeper significance of being a solitary studio potter simply selling work. This search for greater meaning and purpose led me to close the studio and embark on an ongoing journey of attending residencies and working in studios around the world, continuously expanding my artistic vision, voice, and style.

From the very beginning, my work with clay has always been driven by a profound love for the craft. Fame, sales, exhibitions, and recognition have simply been byproducts of dedicating myself to this craft over the years. I create not for external rewards, but because I cannot imagine a life without making—it’s not just what I do, it’s who I am. This journey has demanded countless sacrifices, relentless effort, and perseverance, but through it all, my heart is filled with gratitude for the chance to live a life devoted to ceramics.