Probably the longest enduring and passionate hobby I have ever had is creating wheel-thrown pottery. Taking clay from the Earth and, through a process of hand molding and then heating to the point of vitrification, creating an enduring tool or art object, for me, combines the best of artistic desire and scientific/mechanical process. Some of my earliest memories involve digging clay out of my parent’s garden and drying pinch pots in the sun, and some of my happiest times as an adult have happened while working alone and with others in the studio. I throw cone six clay and fire in oxidation. Some of my work is non-functional raku, but the majority forms functional bowls, cups, and other stoneware.