Growing up, my world revolved around sports and science — art wasn't really part of the picture. That changed during a particularly stressful semester of undergrad, when I enrolled in an oil painting class to fulfill a requirement. The course was designed for non-art majors, and our wonderful professor encouraged us to treat it almost like art therapy, grading on participation and effort over technical skill. Those four hours a week in the studio became a genuine haven. There was something about stepping away from my science coursework and losing myself completely in a painting.

Life moved on, as it does. I started my career as a physical therapist in Philadelphia, and extracurricular pursuits took a back seat. But as I settled into my career, I found my way back to painting through an adult education program in the city — and once again, that one evening a week where I could set everything else aside became something I treasured.

Clay had always intrigued me. I eventually got into a wheel-throwing class through Philadelphia's adult education center. Three years later, after a move to Portland, Maine, I found my way to Handful Studios.

With clay, I've found a focused immersion that has always felt separate from the rest of my life — except now I get to build actual skill alongside the joy of making. Tuesday night classes and open studio time have become some of my favorite moments of the week. Emails, texts, and to-do lists of everyday life fall away, and it's just me and the clay (and whatever audiobook I'm listening to).

Away from the wheel, you'll find me with my black lab Sage, getting outside whenever the Maine weather cooperates, and cheering alongside my husband, Chris, at whatever motorsports event we've found ourselves at.