About Nancy

For years, people would ask me, Where did you study? Who did you study with? Those questions once made me feel inadequate and embarrassed about the path I had taken. It took me more than twenty years to realize I didn’t need to apologize for my choices. A degree in ceramics gives someone one kind of beginning; being self-taught gives another. Neither determines what you ultimately understand about clay, firing, creativity, or the work itself.

Today, I can answer those questions without hesitation: I’ve studied everywhere I’ve ever been, and I’ve learned from everyone who has touched my life. For me, it has always been about the work. As a teacher, I can share technique, experience, and perhaps a little inspiration, but each person must ultimately find their own way. Whether we study with renowned potters or work quietly alone in our studios, we choose what to explore, what to express, and what kind of artist we want to become. Being self-taught was a choice—and perhaps one of the greatest gifts I gave myself. It allowed me the freedom to experiment, take risks, break rules, make mistakes, and discover my own voice. Some experiments brought great success; others brought spectacular failure. Each one taught me something and moved my work forward.

My love affair with clay is filled with romance, adventure, discovery, and risk. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

A Conversation with Nancy

How long have you worked in clay?
I have worked with clay for more than 30 years.

What experiences have helped shape you as a ceramic artist?

I am self-taught. I built my first kiln in 1975, before I really knew anything about kiln construction or firing. Taking risks and solving problems quickly became part of my nature.

I discovered the joy of salt firing, which helped me define my surfaces, and later wood firing, which helped me define my forms. Each experience brought me closer to understanding what I wanted my work to become.

Who has inspired your work in clay?

Everyone I know. Life is filled with creative, inspiring, and extraordinary people. I’ve been fortunate to share my life with my husband, family, friends, and students, and each of them has influenced my work in some way. I also greatly admire the work of Hamada, Hans Coper, Don Reitz, and many other ceramic artists.

Why do you enjoy teaching ceramics and pottery?
For me, life is about learning, and clay is one of the greatest teachers I know. Clay teaches patience, honesty, integrity, compassion, and composure. It challenges us to do our best while reminding us that we cannot control everything. Sharing what I’ve learned and helping students discover their own creativity and their own state of bliss is an amazing experience.

What moment in working with clay thrills you most?
No question: leather hard. At that stage, the work holds so much promise and possibility. I simply fall in love with it. What advice would you give

someone just beginning to work with clay?

Relax and enjoy.