As a ceramics major in college, I was influenced by the east-west partnership of Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada, who taught many students. They, in turn taught people like me to make functional ware with respect for the qualities inherent to the materials. Hamada loved the writings of a guy named Yanagi who wrote a book titled "The Unknown Craftsman". The idea of work which speaks for itself - regardless of the personality of the maker - appeals to me as well.

As a degree candidate it was mandatory to take a lot of art history. My focus was ancient art of the east - Greece, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, India, Thailand, China, Japan, etc. The campus art museum had numerous pots from the ancient Mimbres culture. I longed to make something half as good. They were fascinating! I indulge this fascination by reproducing their ancient designs on modern utilitarian ware - bringing them forward in time, so to speak. It's a sort of meditation to immerse myself in a particular design. They usually take hours to finish.

Seeking the outskirts of society brought me to Moab, Utah. Life was cheap back then, which was important to an art student. I fell in love with the landscape and was hired to work at the Maze district of Canyonlands National Park. The work involved frequent trips into Horseshoe Canyon, near the famous Great Gallery. It's fun to ponder the meaning of pictographs painted in the Barrier Canyon style which pedate the pecked petroglyphs by at least a thousand years. They look like they came from another planet! "Thelma and Louise" was filmed, bringing the first big surge of tourism to Moab. In response to requests for petroglyph images on my pottery, I began searching the area for rock art and have never stopped. Thus began a long-term obsession leading to the belief that rock art tells stories based on a mythology we don't understand. Only indigenous cultures can grow up with that level of understanding. I reproduce the images as accurately as possible, allowing the viewer to enjoy their enigmatic character.

I endeavor to make pots that feel as good as they look. They are meant to be used. Hopefully they will become favorite items through frequent handling.