Nature As My Co-Designer
I’m so grateful to have nature as my "inspiration board." There’s a certain peace in stepping outside the studio and letting the local landscape take the lead.

The Green Glaze Quest
Of all the colors, green has long been a favorite of mine. With so many variations in nature, I feel entitled to as many as I want in my own work! These stacking bowls are my attempt to capture that perfect, leafy hue—they look right at home against the weathered grain of aged wood.

Botany Meets Bas-Relief
Why draw a leaf when I can use the real thing? It’s an absolute pleasure to wander my garden or take a walk to gather plant material. These wall hooks were such a fun project—pressing lavender and the random sprig of something or another directly into the clay. The result? A permanent "record" of the valley that smells (in my imagination, at least) like, well, Ojai.

Cycle of Life (Aka: The Chrysalis)
A rather humbling aspect of being a creator is being reminded that nature is way better at it than I am. Case in point: a Monarch caterpillar decided to set up shop right outside my front door. Watching that perfect, gold-trimmed chrysalis form makes my best hand-thrown vase look like a rough draft. It’s also a great reminder to slow down—nature doesn't rush the "firing" process, and neither should I.
The Texture of the Banksia
The bottom pod is the real deal, but the top one is my own hand-sculpted version made from wild clay collected from nearby Matilija Canyon. I feel like my clay version captures that earthy, rugged texture of the original. Seeing them side-by-side is rather fun! Trying to mimic the intricate, prehistoric detail of the pod was a challenge, but using clay straight from the canyon floor makes it feel like a genuine piece of the landscape.

Finding the Flow
At the end of the day, these pieces are more than just clay and glaze; they are snapshots of the world right outside my door. Embracing the "perfect imperfections" of a seed pod or a stray leaf helps me stay connected to the best inspiration. Whether I'm foraging in the valley or just watching a cocoon on the porch, I'm reminded that the best art isn't just made—it's often found.