about the studio

origin and philosophy

Welcome to the hydrangea farm, a name born from my garden, once home to more than a hundred hydrangea bushes of every variety and hue. My work in ceramics reflects lessons drawn from landscaping, shaped by attention to texture and form.  Clay requires a continuous learning curve, infinite patience, and a steady sense of humor when unexpected challenges arise. The reward is the genuine thrill and surprise each time the kiln door opens.

a conversation with the medium

Working with clay is an inherently therapeutic and meditative process—a quiet dialogue with raw earth. The loudest voice in the studio belongs to the clay itself - primarily durable stoneware, and occasionally porcelain. As it morphs from wet and malleable to bone dry, the material commands respect at every turn. I often begin with a fluid concept or a specific technique in mind, but as the work unfolds, the clay acts as an active collaborator, guiding, supporting, or redirecting my initial intentions.

time and craft

Time governs the ceramic studio. Much like cooking, pottery relies on deliberate, sequential steps. Many hours working with sustained focus is followed by days tending the drying process, as the piece cures over a span of two to three weeks. The first kiln firing, called bisquing, takes 24 hours between heating and cooling. The next phase, glazing, is followed by a second 24 hours in the kiln. After each firing the piece will change!

My techniques evolve alongside each concept. Current collections emphasize hand-carved relief, fluid slip decoration, slab forms, and extruded architectural accents across plates, vases and sculptural vessels. Looking ahead, I am exploring two distinct paths: minimalist, tension-filled curves, and testing dynamic glaze chemistry that pools, runs, and melts across the surface.

everyday living & care

Every functional piece is crafted for daily use. All dinnerware and serving vessels are fully vitrified, food-safe, as well as safe for both the dishwasher and microwave.

I have named my pieces for the people whom I was thinking of as I was creating.