When I was little, I told everyone that I was going to be an artist when I grew up. When I got a little bigger, I told everyone that I was going to be a scientist. Now that I'm a grown-up, it turns out that I get to do some of both!

Working with ceramics is compelling to me because of the making process. I start by working with the clay in its raw state as it changes from soft and wet to stiff and dry. Then after the first firing, I can build upon what I have already done, adding color and texture; I can only imagine what the final product will look like in this state. Firing is always magic to me, no matter how much I learn about glaze chemistry.

I started Riverdragon Ceramics several months after graduating from Bard College at Simon's Rock, where I studied ceramics under Ben Krupka. I began my business with a kickwheel and some leftover clay from my senior thesis, working in an old barn. The barn is actually a lovely place to work (during the summer, anyway). It is attached to the house I live in, which means Riverdragon Ceramics is run entirely from my home. Everything you will find here in my shop was designed and made by me.

To give my fledgling business a boost, I created a Kickstarter project in August 2012 to raise the funds to get my own kiln. The project was very successful, with 98 backers pre-ordering work from me. Now that I have my own kiln, I can do what makes me happy - creating beautiful art and sharing it with the world.