Worn under Medieval armor, chain mail is made of tiny interlocking metal rings designed to protect a body in motion. I use the chain mail pattern and other woven patterns to create ceramic works that conjure up a sense of permanence and defensive concealment. Like the ancient armor, my pieces are made of a fabric of moveable interlocking rings. Using clay to make a protective mesh is contradictory; for how can it defend anything, much less itself? Visually stone-like, the pieces appear strong and impenetrable, belying their inherent fragility.

My undergraduate degree at Rutgers University was in math. Love of math was not enough to invent new ideas in this field – unfortunately for me that also required genius. The discovery that I could be far more creative with clay than with math came to me during the last year of undergraduate schooling. Flash forward 25 years to when I completed an MFA, which launched me in a new direction of socially engaged and participatory projects. This opened up a broader context for both my role as an artist and my artwork.

Much of my ceramic knowledge comes from other artists, books and the many residencies that have provided me with a supportive and well equipped environment, I am much indebted to all of them. Residencies include: Hunter College in NYC, Anderson Ranch in CO, Greenwich House Pottery in NYC, Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts in ME, William Paterson University in NJ, Chester Spring Studio in PA and University of the Arts in PA.

I have been awarded two NJ State Council on the Arts Fellowships and taught workshops and been a visiting artist at many schools. I  currently teach at Montclair State University in Montclair NJ and The Art School at Old Church in Demarest NJ