For 40 years I have said to myself “you should be a potter”.

Instead I entered into the family business. My passion for clay never left me and I continued throwing pots at night for fun. I read everything that I could on creating pottery with a focus on form and function. I maintained membership with Oregon Potters Association and studied ceramics on my own while pushing my skills and accumulating studio equipment. Throughout the years my happiest hours have been in my home studio creating. Early in my professional career I was able to participate in several Oregon Potters Association’s Ceramic Showcase, art fairs and Portland Saturday Market.

Together, my brother and I were part of a team that ran a successful family business in distribution for over 30 years. Garrick was given his first cancer diagnosis just as we were handed the reins. 6 years later, he lost his battle to cancer. The career journey two brothers had embarked on together ended and my business no longer felt relevant or even viable to me. It had been a tough 6 years. Life became very short and I realized I was still not doing what I really wanted to do, full time potter. Garrick told a story before he passed that he would show signs that he was safe and happy as a yellow bird. So, along with my remaining partners we sold the business to a friendly competitor, I left the corporate world and Yellow Bird Pottery was born.

My pots are made from a very durable stoneware, fired to 2200*F and slow cooled. They are all dishwasher & microwave safe. My focus is on functional forms that are beautiful and bring joy to everyday. My Sgraffito designs are influenced by my love of nature and passion for fly fishing. All crafted by myself in Wilsonville Oregon.