I never think about artists and artisans in concrete terms, so I really can't choose one over the other. I'm not interested in following conventions or creating purely functional objects. Everything stems from a very messy experimentation process. Sometimes (a lot of the time) things don't work out, and that's okay.

I started working with ceramics two and a half years ago, after finishing my undergraduate degree in English Literature. I wanted a break from writing papers and staring at computer screens, so I signed up for a 6 weeks beginner ceramics course at a local studio in Vancouver. I learned the basics and fell instantly in love with the medium. This past January I quit my full time job so I could spend more time in the studio.

I’ve written stories, self-indulgent journal entries, lists, etc. for as long as I can remember. Unlike with pottery, writing has always been something that appeals to me for very selfish reasons. I write from a very personal place, for myself, without anyone else in mind. With ceramics I’m able to create without restraint, without the urgency of conveying a fleeting feeling. And I’m always thinking about the kinds of people who might end up with my pieces in their homes.
When I’m creating pieces for ceramics, I am inspired by shapes, colours and textures, as well as nature. I’m inspired by the beauty in ordinary, everyday things, and the relationship between natural and unnatural environments.

Shape and function are equally important details in my creative process. When I begin working on a new piece I have a fairly good idea of what I want to achieve aesthetically. It’s once I have settled on a piece that I become aware of its functionality. There is a lot of fine-tuning involved in order to get the design and function streamlined. No one wants to buy a mug for their morning coffee that doesn’t feel good in their hands, no matter how beautiful it is.

Absolutely. I love to cook and entertain, and a huge draw for me starting ceramics was the hope that I would be able to fill my cupboards with custom plates, bowls, and cups. All these things are blank canvases on which I present the meals I make. I was never really able to find a tableware set I liked, or especially one that inspired me to cook, so I slowly created my own instead.

My style is a balance between the classic and the obscure. I want my pieces to have a timelessness about them, but I also don’t take my work too seriously, which accounts for the whimsical element present in my work.

Vancouver is filled and thriving with makers and creatives. My favourite part about working in Vancouver is its proximity to nature. Anytime I feel weighed down or tired from being in a bustling city, I don’t have to go too far to clear my mind. Sitting on the edge of a cliff and staring out at the sea does wonders for any kind of mental or creative block.

I would sit down to have lunch with Patti Smith and Joan Didion, and absorb as much of their power and knowledge as I could.

Most of my subjects are very ordinary and everyday, and I aim to capture them in a way that will evoke a feeling of nostalgia or a sense of familiarity. I like the big, wide open spaces, and densely textured surfaces found in nature. I like photographing messy, unstyled food scenes. I want to capture things as they really are, not perpetuate images of a carefully curated dream world.

I’m experimenting in the studio and slowly gathering ideas for a new collection, which will focus more on sculptural pieces, rather than on purely functional objects. My hope is for a range of statement pieces to emerge… autonomous objects you wouldn’t mind displaying on your shelves for the sake of good-looks alone. I’m also growing a vegetable garden and writing more on the subject of food.

The teapot. From its inception to being a part of my collection, everything was a labour of love. Although the design was relatively spot on right off the bat, I had a lot of issues with its functionality. The biggest issue was getting it to pour in a clean and steady stream. I had to fine tune the design multiple times before I got it right. The finished design is modern, minimalistic, and timeless.