Nature, animals and people inspire me, but I allow the clay texture, strength and plasticity lead my fingers. As I build them, the pieces tell me a story, a narrative that needs to be completed by the viewer. The heads that I build are not empty hollows, but containers for thoughts, memories and future growth. Viewersneed to complete them with their own perceptions.

In spite of the hardness and permanence of fired ceramics, the plastic clay allows me to convey the notions of plasticity, motion and emotional connection in my figures and more abstract forms. Bulls charge with fury. Horses gallop with elan. Cats pose with graceful tension.

I love to use raku fire to reflect the drama and spontaneity of my work. Bisqued pieces are fired quickly in an outdoor gas kiln to melt the glazes. Pulled red-hot from the kiln, the work is set in leaves or sawdust to allow the combustibles to ignite, then covered to allow the smoky atmosphere transform the sculpture surface. The challenge is to achieve a finish which complements and brings the work to life.

Biography

" My first memory of using clay, was as a child building small animals from native clay found on the lakeshore in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. I was thrilled when the pieces, dropped into a wood fire, were found blackened in the ashes. My favourite pastime during my youth were Saturday art classes at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, especially when we were taken to the former stables behind the Museum where we modelled clay, dug from the clay bin.

" During my 6 years at the McGill School of Architecure, sketching and life drawing continued to speak to my creative soul. During the early years of my young family, I had the opportunity to work at the Mount Royal Pottery Studio, where I learned wheel-throwing, but found I was drawn most to hand building. Upon moving to Ottawa in the early 1990's, I have continued to explore this art form, taking workshops with Leta Cormier, Michael Sheba, Les Manning and Jim Thompson and others.

" I have sold my work at different venues in the city, but I very much enjoy speaking with visitors at the Guild of Potters Spring and Fall Sales/Exhibition.