I graduated from University of Washington with a degree in ceramic sculpture and for two seasons produced large figurative ceramics that were shown in the Greg Kucera Gallery in Seattle. After getting married and moving to Montreal, I found that it was difficult to exhibit in Canada without being a citizen. It was also problematic to make large work and ship it, so I occupied myself with smaller projects and began sending them down to New York.

Inspired by the ornate architecture of Montreal and in particular the wrought iron work on the old buildings, I painted the things that I made with black tracery. Inevitably my other passions, an appreciation for the out of doors and love of movement, filtered into the patterns and I eventually switched from painting to slip trailing the designs. Those early experiments developed into what would later become "Kri Kri."

What I once thought would be a one or two year project, I have now been doing for twelve years. Kri Kri has become my alter ego and the original designs have evolved into a growing vocabulary of images and characters. The increasingly animated figures have personality and exert their sexuality as they perform antics on functional wares. Each one seems to go through a process of twisting and contorting, as well as refinement, while I apply them to the cups, mugs, trays or bowls. THe core figures have spawned new ones and just when I think that there could be no new possibilities, another batch seems to come spilling out!

When I began making functional work I considered it temporary and longed to make sculpture. Now I find making utilitarian pieces pleasing and enjoy the meditative, if somewhat repetitive, nature of production. It makes me happy that people use my creations to share food with their friends and families or treature them for their handmade elements. My wish is to help enrich people's daily lives by adding color and smiles.