Learning to do pottery was a graduation gift to myself. After 7 years of working on a Ph.D. and putting off doing fun stuff, the time had come to express myself in a new way. I had my first lesson in July 2005. I asked Melissa Bridgman, a local potter and friend, if she’d be willing to teach me how to throw. After the first couple of lessons, I knew I’d found a new hobby. I caught on quickly and loved it!
Rather than carving my initials or ink stamping the bottom of a piece, I wanted to stamp my pieces. So, I carved a turtle and that is my moniker.
But, why the turtle, you ask?
I like turtles, I always have. I like to think that we have some things in common – tough on the outside; soft on the inside; and relatively self-sufficient. But more than that, I’m a slow potter. I’m a slow thrower, a slow trimmer, and a slow glazer.
What’s the rush, anyway? I don’t make pottery to sell pottery. I make pieces that I enjoy making, things that I find interesting or challenging. If people want to buy them, great; if they don’t, great. Not to sound too cliche, but it’s the journey from mound of clay to formed vessle to glazed piece that I enjoy. I like to experiment with shapes and tools and textures. I like to mix glazes and see what comes out. Sometimes it great, sometimes not. And, that’s just fine with me…
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