Michelle creates all of her work by hand in her Seattle studio. Her process begins with sketching from nature and historical ceramic forms. Drawing upon her experience as a curator and art historian she makes work that combines a minimalist aesthetic with the richness and complexity of organic forms.

Working primarily on the wheel Michelle creates vessels, often working in groups or series, that capture the essence of a particular idea or visual style. Once thrown, the pieces are trimmed and allowed to dry before they are carved and meticulously finished. All her work is sanded repeatedly throughout the firing process, yielding a smooth, sensual surface that invites touch and welcomes frequent use.

Michelle’s work is made from an exceptional porcelain with a high New Zealand kaolin content. While notoriously difficult to work with, the fired clay is among the smoothest, whitest, and most translucent available anywhere. 

Michelle received her B.A. in Fine Art from Claremont McKenna College and her M.A. in Art History from the University of Southern California. Prior to becoming a ceramist she worked at The Broad Art Foundation and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).

She balances her studio practice with chasing around two small children / studio assistants, and after ten years has begun to adapt to life in the Pacific Northwest.