I love clay. Touching it is akin to touching warm skin, plant leaves, moss -- so juicy, sensuous and forgiving.

One evening, many years ago, my then 3-year-old son, Theo, and I were sitting at the kitchen table playing with clay. I had not worked with it for quite awhile, being a first time enthusiastic mother. Theo made a figure of himself holding up his arms. I made the small Western Buddha. I remember feeling excited the way one does when you have come upon something that is just right.

When Theo started preschool and, then, elementary school, I had more time to myself, and I made more figures, smaller ones and larger versions. They came from a place of need that most of us have, a need for moments of sweetness and peace. The idea to sell them arose from the supportive and positive comments of my family, friends and other people who saw the figures. How wonderful to be able to do what I love and to make it my work, as well!

Tassajara Zen Center here in California is one of my favorite places to go. I have a photo of one of the many beautiful places there displayed in my car. When I am stuck in traffic or agitated about something, I look at the picture and it helps me remember to breathe and to connect with the feeling of peace that the photo conveys. Visual reminders help me to center myself when I get lost in the distractions and complications of everyday life.

My sculptures are intended to remind you, like they remind me, of love, and of peace – of moments of feeling powerful and of feeling safe, and to bring a measure of serenity into our lives.