Fan Tray, mid-range white stoneware- oxidation fired, 1x10x8"
Oval Platter, mid-range white stoneware- oxidation fired, 1/11/9"
Vase, mid-range white stoneware- oxidation fired, 10x4.5x2"
Shallow Bowl, mid-range white stoneware- oxidation fired, 2x10x10"
Vase, mid-range white stoneware, oxidation fired, 9.5 x 5.5 x 2"
Biography
I grew up in Connecticut where my father was a painter and illustrator who supported his family of four with his work. My mother was the handiest woman I ever met. I loved watching my father work and art was the only thing I ever got praise for in high school so I ended up at the Kansas City Art Institute where I fell under the spell of ceramics and Ken Ferguson. I went on to study with Wayne Higby and got a graduate degree from RISD.
I then moved, with my husband/potter Richard Hensley, to rural Floyd, VA in the Blue Ridge Mountains to set up our studio, where we have always lived and worked and raised a family. I have always been a studio potter and sculptress with more than the occasional teaching experiences thrown in. I have taught at most of the craft/art schools over the years such as Penland, Anderson Ranch, Banff Center, Arrowmont... I have taught summer programs at several colleges such as University of Michigan and Alfred University. I have been an artist in residence in Turkey, Jingdezhen, China, and the Archie Bray Foundation. I live every summer now in a remote village in Liguria, Italy and teach in Tuscany at La Meridiana School for Ceramics. I have been honored by the NEA with 2 artists fellowships and received a Virginia Museum artists grant. I am currently the director of "Women Working with Clay"- an annual symposium that takes place at Hollins University where I taught for 15 years part time.