About the Artist

The public school system I attended had a very poor art program. While in junior and senior in high school I had the opportunity to attend fine arts classes at the Dayton Art Institute when they still offered them. One of the classes I took introduced me to clay. From that time on I knew I wanted to work with clay in some form.

I Began my studies in art education at Wright State University. During sophomore year I started my studies in the ceramic arts. Chris Shatsby was the head of the ceramic department at that time. I studied pottery under him for three years. I feel very lucky to have had my beginnings in clay under Dr. Shatsby. His strong since of design and craftsmanship affect me positively to this day.

From Nashville I moved to Canton, Ohio. I had a pottery studio there for several years, selling out of the shop and doing craft fairs.

The next and last move is to Troy, Ohio. I've been making and selling pottery from here for a few years at this point

My pottery is still growing and improving. It still excites me today.

After graduating from Wright State I received the opportunity to teach pottery at the Art Center in Nashville, Tennessee. I taught there for several years and operated a pottery studio simultaneously. Most of the sales from the studio were commission, consignment and work for interior decorators. That was a good gig.

In the Photo are Dale Neese who continues doing his pottery in San Antonio, Texas. You can see Dales work at - www.Daleneese.com .Monee was the secretary of the Art Center and also taught batik classes she was a very good weaver too. Hiromi is a potter today also, she lives in Japan today .

The use of local, wild, materials in the glaze.

The use of the Ohio Yellow glaze as I call it is a frequent presence in my work. What I find interesting is the connection it creates to the areas geologic history to this time. The glacial period over this land left all sorts of elements around that can be employed for a potters use. Every time I open the kiln to see what's coming out of a glaze firing, I'm filled with wonderment at the results.