I am attracted to clay and all that it can do. It is the bowl we eat from, the cup we drink from, the plate we serve with. It is a personal object that is used day to day. Clay is displayed on the wall like a painting or as a freestanding sculpture. The world of tiles and architectural ceramics enhance our environment through its beauty and durability. The surfaces offer infinite possibilities. I love creating work with wonderful texture and color whether it has a designated function or whose function is purely aesthetic. I am, at heart, a handbuilder. I do sculptural work which is sometimes figurative, abstract or a combination of both. I prefer natural looking surfaces which are layered and multifired. The use of a hand crafted item is a different experience than the use of a manufactured item. There is a personal connection between the user and the maker.
Trish has been studying clay for many years through the various classes available to her when she lived in the Atlanta area. Taking classes at Penland was a life changing experience and a turning point in her desire to become a studio ceramicist. She and her husband moved to Western North Carolina in 2007 and she has pursued her claywork full time after her career as a kitchen designer. Immediately after retirement, she enrolled in Haywood Community College’s Professional Crafts Program in clay where she received her Associate’s Degree in 2014. She currently is a member of the Odyssey Coop Gallery in the River Arts District in Asheville, NC. Trish has her studio at Art Garden at Riverview Station in the River Arts District in Asheville. The studio/gallery is open to guests six days a week.