About

Current

After nearly three years of traveling and attending residencies both nationally and internationally, I’ve returned to a place I hold close to my heart, Portland, OR. Having begun my ceramics career here almost 15 years ago, it feels only right to reestablish both a home base and a studio base in this city.

While I enjoy being a studio potter rooted in Portland, my practice continues to extend beyond its borders, through exhibitions, collaborations, and cultural exchange. Looking ahead, Culp Pottery will soon open a dedicated studio in the city, creating space for making work for clients, shows, and partnerships, as well as offering private lessons and a small resident artist program.

I have big ideas for the work I hope to create in the coming years, and I believe this new studio will provide the foundation to pursue them with intention, ambition, and professionalism.

Past

For more than a decade, I have immersed myself in a world of ceramics, where a deep love for clay has blossomed into a lifelong passion. This commitment, or obsession, has not only shaped my craft but also defined my journey as an artist, maker, and human in this world.

My early years started in Portland, Or where I worked for countless studios and artist; these include Mudshark Studios, Kelly Pottery, Multnomah Arts Center, and many more.

I’ve been fortunate enough to travel the world, learning from and working alongside incredible mentors, potters, and studios. One of the most pivotal points in my career was a one year stint at the renowned Leach Pottery in 2017, under the guidance of lead potter Roelof Uys. Here, I honed my technical skills and embraced the Leach philosophy of craftsmanship—balancing tradition with efficiency and finding beauty in functional, handmade objects.

Furthering my exploration, I spent time in Japan at the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art for the summer of 2018, where I immersed myself in the rich tradition of Eastern techniques, learning how to blend them with contemporary approaches..

My return to Portland at the beginning of 2019 consisted of 3 years as a potter at Wolf Ceramics, led by Sarah Wolf. I played a key role in increasing both the quantity and volume of work produced at Wolf Ceramics. Additionally, I helped establish a solid standard of quality, setting a benchmark that continues to influence Wolf Ceramics production methods today.

In 2022, I founded Culp Pottery, creating a space where I could fully immerse myself in the craft and further explore the possibilities of functional ceramics. During this time, I collaborated with clients on various projects, exhibited personal work, and produced custom tableware. Achieving this by the age of 27 felt like the peak of a long-held goal, yet something still felt incomplete. I found myself questioning, Is this really it? and wondering about the deeper significance of being a solitary studio potter simply selling work. This search for greater meaning and purpose led me to close the studio and embark on an ongoing journey of attending residencies and working in studios around the world, continuously expanding my artistic vision, voice, and style.

From the very beginning, my work with clay has always been driven by a profound love for the craft. Followers, sales, exhibitions, and recognition have simply been byproducts of dedicating myself to this craft over the years. I create not for external rewards, but because I cannot imagine a life without making—it’s not just what I do, it’s who I am. This journey has demanded countless sacrifices, relentless effort, and perseverance, but through it all, my heart is filled with gratitude for the chance to live a life devoted to ceramics.