While majoring in painting and graphic design, I signed up for a pottery class for fun. I was instantly hooked, and ended up with a BA and MA in Art - both with areas of concentration in Ceramics, from the University of Louisville in Kentucky. I set up my first studio in the Highlands area of Louisville, and named my business "Highland Pottery". My husband, Joe Kennedy (a native Knoxvillian) and I moved to Knoxville in 1990 and started raising our family. Three children later, I am still happily playing with mud and making pots.

I am an exhibiting member of the Tn. Artists and Craftsmen Association, the Foothills Craft Guild, The Ky. Crafts Guild and Terra Madre (a local group of east Tn. women clay artists).

Having a strong background in traditional forms and techniques, my pots are functional and contain elements that allude to their function. The inspiration for my work comes from nature, the ocean, historical pots (especially Japanese) and the clay itself. Clay is so much fun to work with. Most of my forms are altered while still wet to give them a playful, inviting personality. In my sculptural slab work, the clay is pinched and folded and the glazes are thick and layered to emphasize the inherent qualities of the clay. I like to enhance my pieces with splashes of color. My goal is to show people what fun clay is - to touch, to work with, to look at, and to use in everyday life.

I have used the same clay for over 20 years. It is a white stoneware chosen for its color, warmth and durability. My pots are bisqued, glazed and fired to Cone 6-10 in oxidation. All glazes are mixed in my own studio and are lead free. All pots (except baskets with reed handles) are oven-proof and microwave and dishwasher safe. Even my large sculptural vases and wall pouches can be filled with water to hold flowers.

My studio, Highland Pottery, is in West Knoxville and is open by appointment. Once a year, the first weekend in December, I host a holiday show and open house at my studio where I also feature the work of other local artists. To receive information about this event and or to be put on my mailing list call (865) 216-8650. My work may also be seen at the Foothills Craft Guild web site.