My first collection centered on the concept of muscle memory; each piece intends to share the physically intimate experience of working with clay. After a career dominated by computer aided design programs I was struck by the idea that clay has muscle memory—that its very particles "remember" our touch. This direct tactile relationship made me care for the clay somehow. Working with it brought back muscle memories of making tangible things with my hands, and caused me to ponder the scale of time and endurance of physical creations. I've been entranced ever since—exploring the tension between raw and refined, strength and gentleness, durability and fragility, timelessness and the present.

The pieces are all unglazed; the clarity and earnest quality of raw clay felt right for my first collection. I wanted them to feel like a beginning, the first steps frozen in time. I blended multiple clay bodies to achieve different tones and textures across the pieces. I enjoyed exploring the unique feel of each clay combination and aimed to express my touch through softly "hand drawn" surfaces, reassuring lines, and satisfying shifts in silhouette. I love how these qualities respond to the changing light throughout the day, and I'm also excited for the pieces to patina over time with use as planters.

The pieces felt good to make, and I hope that is evident.