A Brief Statement of my works:

Pottery, teapots and related forms:

My intention with these objects is for the user to take more than a moment for the ritual of tea or coffee. The form encourages a careful and meditative approach, to slow down and breathe in the face of daily chaos that is stress. In addition, there is a bit of whimsy to lighten the mood, to remind us to not be too serious all the time.

Paintings:

My goal with the acrylic paintings is to interpret and tell stories of:

1) Nature/Elements

2) Man/Movement and change

Public Art Installations:

I create large-scale installations using mixed media, outdoors or indoors. I tailor my sculptures to the environment they inhabit, creating a harmonious installation. Permanence and timelessness are addressed as I create them. Often they will include a water feature to enhance the overall atmosphere. I have worked with many foundations, schools and municipalities to create these works.

Pond and water feature designs:

Whether it is a 2' high pond less water fall, an acreage water scape, or an 11' x 16' pond with a 10' stream, I install the best quality products. In addition, I design the features to fit their environments; they look as though they belong to the site.

Resume

Creator of Sculpture, Painting, Public Art and Pottery for 23 years.

Owner of Muddypaw, LLC: Company produces public and private artwork in addition to creating limited products and numerous garden ponds and landscapes.

Owned What Is That, LLC, A gallery of fine art and craft, Ypsilanti, MI

Started the Northern Michigan Artist Market in 2003 with 5 other partners.

Worked with Professional Potter, Patrick Dragon.

Worked in a custom tile manufacturer Architerra in Seattle, Washington.

Freelanced and worked in agencies for 10 years as a Graphic Designer.

Community Support:

Empty Bowls in several communities

Hospice of Little Traverse Bay

Ann Arbor Area Arts Alliance

Gallery representation:

Northern Michigan Artist Market, Petoskey, Michigan

River's Edge Gallery, Wyndotte, Michigan

Publications of my art:

Northern Express

Public Television's Michigan Magazine

Ceramics Monthly

The Christian Science Monitor, a center spread and article of my sculpture.

Exhibition Highlights:

Fall 2011 Two Paintings in Annual Jury Art Show

Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey, MI

Summer 2011 One person painting show

Knox Galleries, Harbor Springs, MI

Winter 2009 Mad Hatter's Tea Party Exhibition

1 Sculptural teapot

Armory Art Center, West Palm Beach, FL

Winter 2009 Baltimore Clayworks: 100 Teapots IV

1 Sculptural Teapot

Baltimore, Maryland

Fall 2007 Arts for the Spirit- From Teapots to Transfiguration

 12 Sculptural Teapots, one-man show.

Oakwood Health system, Dearborn, MI

Fall 2007 Arts for the Spirit- Essence and Energy

24 Paintings, one-man show.

Oakwood Health system, Dearborn, MI

Summer 2007 Arts for the Spirit- Essence and Energy

14 Paintings, one-man show.

Oakwood Health system, Dearborn, MI

Winter 2007 Mad Hatter's Tea Party Exhibition

3 Sculptural teapots

Armory Art Center, West Palm Beach, FL

Winter 2007 Baltimore Clayworks: 100 Teapots III

1 Sculptural Teapot

Baltimore, Maryland

Fall 2006 Night Visions @ The Coconino Center for the Arts

Selection of Public and Private Art Collections:

Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library Art Collection

Three paintings

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI

Breacon Village Memory Support Center

15' dia. x 6' Sculptural Water feature

City of Saline

Two multi-media Sculptures, One is 6' diameter, other is 12" diameter by 5' tall.

Marquette City Public Park Sculpture and Water Feature

Marquette, Michigan

Jane Hiebel memorial fountain, 20'x10' with 3 10' sculpted mixed media trees with "rain" falling from the branches. Multiple lighting. Seven low-relief ceramic panels of the arts, bronze coated.

Tom Bahra

Mackinaw City, Michigan

29' x18" Carved ceramic pillar water tower inside the house.

Portage Public Library

Portage, Michigan

38'x15' low-relief sculpture with water fall, 8.5'x5'dia. central seating and 15'x10' sculptural arc

element, two 7'x2'x8" low-relief elements.

W.K. Kellogg Expert in Residence Program

Battle Creek Public Schools, Springfield Middle School

Compassion, Tolerance, Understanding

100'x200' Sculptural Installation and landscaping

U.P. Children's Museum

Marquette, Michigan

15'x20'x5' Sculptural environmental pond system

Sweet Water Cafe restaurant

Marquette, Michigan

11'x4'x2' sculptural water fall

Education:

1989 to 1994 BFA in Ceramics December 1994

Northern Michigan University

Marquette, Michigan 49855

1987 to 1992 Graphic Design major, senior level, no degree.

Northern Michigan University

Marquette, Michigan 49855

1985 to 1986 Drafting and Advertising Internship at Hilltop Advertising

Calhoun Area Vocational Education Center

Battle Creek, Michigan 49018

Selection of Workshops, lectures and classes presented:

2007 Taught workshop on Creativity and teapot making, Battle Creek Art Center, Michigan.

2003 Outdoor sculpture workshops, Battle Creek Schools, Michigan.

2002 Beaver Island Light House School Ceramics Workshop, With the Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey, Michigan.

2001 Kellogg Community College, taught workshop and lectured on the creative process, Battle Creek, Michigan.

1995 W.K. Kellogg Expert in Residence Program, taught workshops throughout the Battle Creek district, Battle Creek Art Center and gave multiple lectures on art and creativity.

Grants received:

Several Michigan Council of the Arts grants to teach workshops and projects.

United Arts Council of Calhoun County

Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, Portage Public Library

W.K. Kellogg Expert in Residence Program