About Me
I am a ceramic artist and educator working in West Seattle. I often go by my last name, Hanson! My passions are spending time creating in the studio and sharing my love of clay with adult beginners and youth from elementary to high school age. As an instructor, I encourage emerging artists to take creative risks, learn through failure, and find joy in the act of self-expression.
I grew up in Auburn, Washington, spending time exploring the outdoors in the greater Puget Sound. Some of my earliest memories are from camping trips and hikes with my family near Mount Tahoma.
My first experiences with clay were in community studio classes in 2022. I am the Studio Manager at Rat City Studios, where I also do my personal studio work. I’m the Outreach Coordinator at Rain City Clay and an instructor of youth and adult classes.
Artist Statement
I bring the user of my work into the serenity of a lush forest. I create functional items like vases, trinket dishes, and mugs that bring tranquility into daily life.
When I’m surrounded by forest, my body is calm and connected to the earth. My pieces brings that feeling into everyday experiences like drinking a morning coffee. I create trinket trays that hold items for your everyday outings or treasures from special adventures. My trinket dishes are places to keep memories you want to hold dear. A rock found on a misty Washington beach, a pinecone from a forest hike, and a dried fern from my neighborhood are gathered in mine.
The shapes of tulips, daisies, ferns, poppy seed pods, and trailing leaves are seen in the forms and surfaces of my work. Carved plant motifs follow the organic shapes of vases and speak to the tenderness I see in myself that is reflected in the delicate world of flowers and ferns.
