About the Artist

MEMBERSHIPS & BOARDS

Artvi Advocate Board – Vice-Chair – 2010 - present

    Nonprofit, which has a keen interest in furthering the cause of arts and cultural 
    advocacy in US Virgin Islands.

Arts Alive Board – Marketing and Development Committee– 2009 - present
    Nonprofit which presents music concerts, arts and crafts festivals, and encourages the young people in appreciation, study and performance/exhibition of music and visual arts.

FireWorks Committee  - 2006 - present

    Annual show consisting of ceramic artists and students living in the Caribbean.   Also helped to educate the community about ceramics and the expanse of the medium.

Potters Council – 2005 – present
    Nonprofit subsidiary of The American Ceramic Society who are passionate about pottery, education, and who want to meet the needs of studio potters and ceramic artists by providing forums for knowledge exchange and professional enhancement.

American Craft Council – 2006 - present

    Nonprofit educational organization promoting the understanding and appreciation of contemporary American craft.

Awards
    2011 - Honorable Mention - Caribbean Colour
    2011 - Best of the VI - Pottery - St. Thomas, Daily News Paper
    2010 - Honorable Mention - FireWorks V: An All Clay Show
    2010 - People's Choice Award - FireWorksV: An All Clay Show
    2009 - Honorable Mention - FireWorks IV: An All Clay Show
    2007 - Artist's Choice Award - FireWorks III: An All Clay Show
    2006 - First Place-Professional Category-FireWorks II: An All Clay Show
    2006 - Ricardo & Josephina Charaf Best Sculpture -
                FireWorks II:An All Clay Show
    1995 - Outstanding Achievement in Art - National Art Honor Society

Publications
    St. Thomas This Week - "Tillett Gardens Celebrates 50 Years!" - 
    Jan. & Feb. 2009 issues

Exhibits
2011 - In.Stall.Me - Everyday Clay Studio, St. Thomas, USVI
2011 - Caribbean Colour - The Ice Gallery Project, St. Thomas, USVI
2011 - Bistro 1920 - Everyday Clay Studio, St. Thomas, USVI
2003-2010 - Arts Alive - Spring and Fall Shows, Tillett Gardens, St. Thomas, USVI
2010 - Dream in Green: Summer pArty - Everyday Clay Studio, St. Thomas, USVI
2010 - FireWorks V: An All Clay Show - Everyday Clay Studio, St. Thomas, USVI
2010 - Windows: A Photographic Exhibition - 7-7 Art Alliance, St. Thomas, USVI
2010 - 4 Colors, 4 Medias, A Needle & Thread -

           Everyday Clay Studio,  St. Thomas, USVI 
2009 - Whimsical Wonderland - Everyday Clay Studio, St. Thomas, USVI
2009 - Multiplicity - Everyday Clay Studio, St. Thomas, USVI
2009 - FireWorks IV: An All Clay Show - Everyday Clay Studio, St. Thomas, USVI
2008 - Fall Works - Everyday Clay Studio, St. Thomas, USVI
2008 - Necessary Accessories - Everyday Clay Studio, St. Thomas, USVI
2008 - Mermaids and Mothers - Kilnworks, St. Thomas, USVI
2008 - In the Belly of My Dreams - Everyday Clay Studio,  St. Thomas, USVI
2003-2008-2009 - Arts Alive - Spring and Fall Shows
           Tillett Gardens, St. Thomas, USVI
2007 - FireWorks: An All-Clay Show - Tillett Gardens,  St. Thomas, USVI
2006 - FireWorks: An All-Clay Show - Mango Tango, St. Thomas, USVI
2005 - FireWorks: An All-Clay Show - Gallery St. Thomas,  St. Thomas, USVI
2003 - 15th Annual Caribbean Color, St. Thomas, USVI
2002-2003 - Battery Show - St. John Artist's Association - St. John, USVI
1999 - In Between Panes - River Falls, WI
1999 - Artful Minds - University of WI - River Falls, River Falls, WI
1999 - Fiber and Texture Exhibit - University of WI,  Whitewater, Whitewater, WI
1999 - Functional Fire - Wood Fired Cup Exhibition,  Iowa Artisans Gallery, Iowa

Co-Curator
2011 - Caribbean Colour - The Ice Gallery Project:St. Thomas Dairies,
            St. Thomas, USVI
2010 - Mad Men ArtVI - The Saint Lounge, St. Thomas, USVI

Artist’s Statement

I have always been a creative and artistic person. I knew since I was young, that I wanted to be an artist and have had many mentors and motivators along the way. I now work mainly in ceramics but also use a broad range of mixed media; incorporating painting, fibers and found objects into projects. I am determined to never limit my creative ability or get stuck in an artistic rut.

My process usually begins by reviewing ideas, drawings or notes in one of my journals.  I am constantly writing down ideas for future projects or bodies of work. I become very inspired by situations or emotions I feel in places that I am visiting and from everyday life. I record fascinating patterns created randomly in nature or in our modern world and strive to recreate these observations through art.
 
I am currently making both functional and decorative ceramics, and when I begin a body of work, I have to decide which direction to take. My decorative ceramics use the clay as a canvas by carving, sculpting and drawing on the surface of it; making mobiles, wall hangings, lighted domes, and sculptures. I feel that my creative imagination can completely emerge through this process. I have also found serenity in the repetition and rhythm of creating functional, everyday pottery in the forms of coffee mugs, berry washers, sushi plates and pitchers.  

Since opening my pottery studio and gallery, I have been able to concentrate on integrating my imaginative side of pottery that I love with everyday, functional pieces, by enhancing details, glazes and decoration. I feel that I am now the truest and closest to finding my inner self as an artist. I have taken themes and subjects that I have used for years unknowingly, and discovered what they really mean to me; what they mean in my life. 

Traveling on the clay path, I am realizing that with every project, body of work, accident and success I am learning something about clay and myself.  Being open to understanding what is trying to be said and then applying that to everyday life is essential to achieving my vision.