WinchellClayWorks

My foray into art began over 20 years ago, back in 1986 when my father discovered that one of his clients was an art teacher who lived just 10 minutes down the road from us. The highlight of my week became Wednesday afternoons when I would head down the dirt road to the old 18th century farmhouse for my pastel lessons. My lessons continued for 3 years until my elderly instructor was no longer able to continue.

In the time since then, I have attempted most art and craft media. Life really changed for me though when my husband, who was out delivering oil at the time, called me and asked me if I wanted a bunch of ceramic molds. At the time I had a new baby and was operating on zero sleep. It never occurred to me to say no because I would need a kiln and all sorts of other stuff.....eventually I got a big kiln (from one of his co-workers, of all places--just sitting in her barn!), I moved away from the molds and began to make beads and pendants. I have since worked my way up to larger functional pieces, in part because during the fall of 2014 my husband was good enough to build me an 8' x 16" studio in the yard. I'm not sure if it was to encourage me to expand my business or if it was built in self defense, as we were beginning to drown in pottery supplies in our little house. I think I'll leave that question unanswered.

We are fortunate enough to live in the beautiful bitty town of Acton, Maine, which provides inspiration from nature 365 days a year.