Artist Statement

I live a few miles south east of Helena, Montana. A person can measure their own pace, it has profoundly rural tone. Mountains and wetlands, rolling fields dark evergreens and golden aspen soon to be vibrant green, streams, ponds and fields are my views. Deer, coyotes, geese, eagles and small song birds of great variety populate my back yard.

I am deeply inspired by my surroundings, the connection between human beings and nature is in evidence continually. Specifically, how it demonstrates our place in it, as viewer, participant and component. The essence of this dialogue informs me. The intention of my work is to imbue pieces with that underlying vibrancy, a rich fabric of ephemeral ether that animates the tangible.

Artist Biography

I’ve been playing with clay most of my life. I was born in Japan in the early 50’s, later studying with Ken Ferguson at Kansas City Art Institute in the mid-70‘s. Ken was deeply influenced by the Japanese Folk Craft tradition. This is a life long influence on my work, which has been cultivated in Montana for the last 25 years.

A deeply personal affinity with the natural world has determined the designs and images I use in my work. Mostly water birds and fish populated my early work. Now leaves and flowers from indigenous plants and trees, aspen, linden, pussy willow, oak. Sometimes the plants I grew in my greenhouse, zinnias and winter squash.

Coupled with the surface design and form, my intention in making functional objects, that evokes a certain level of pleasure when used during meals, enhancing the moment. Large one of kind platters gives the opportunity to engage my painter aspect.

Harpfarm Pottery works was established in Avon (35 miles west of Helena) in 1991. There was no electricity, yet with an abundance of propane and a little leg work, fine porcelain work was possible.

This past year I have relocated my studio to Jefferson City and it’s hard to imagine working without and electric wheel and kiln.

Travel & Study

2003 Worked part-time with Kim Loftus Tile Corbin, MT

1985-87 Lived in Ireland. Worked part-time with Judy Greene (pottery) in Galway

1977 Studied etching with artist Ray Hamilton, Doylestown, PA

1975 Studied at Pottery Northwest under Jean Griffith, Seattle, WA

1973 In Japan I visited potteries and shrines from Tokyo south through Fukuoka, Koishiwara and Onda

1971 Traveled in England, London

1963-72 Educated in Quaker schools which had comprehensive art programs. Art history classes with trips to New York city museums, MOMA, Cloisters, Guggenheim etc., Barnes collection, PAM in Philadelphia.

1960-63 Lived in France in the early 60’s traveled in Germany and Holland. I have some foreign language skills, strongest in French.

Community Involvement

I have supported the following organizations in Helena, MT for the past 14 years by donating art work to be auctioned off as part of their fund raising events as well as to numerous individuals suffering medical hardships:

The Friendship Center; Florence Crittenton Home; St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation; Heart & Humans; Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation; Trout Unlimited, State Chapter; Trout Unlimited, Helena Chapter; The Montana Wilderness Society; Prickly Pear Land Trust; The Archie Bray Foundation Cup/Scholarship Fund; Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies.