My practice as a sculptural ceramicist is rooted in the landscapes of my childhood—the Rio Grande Valley Delta and Laguna Madre. These environments, along with experiences in Mexico’s cloud forests, Central America’s jungles, and beyond, continue to shape my vision. Working primarily in clay, I am drawn to its ability to record touch, embrace imperfection, and undergo transformation through fire. Through organic forms and geological textures, I explore the interconnection between nature and culture, fragility and resilience, permanence and change.

I carry with me the wisdom of Baba Dioum: “In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.” This belief guides both my studio practice and my teaching. Clay becomes a medium for dialogue—between people, with place, and across generations. My experiences as a Fulbright Scholar in Argentina, a National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow in Antarctica and the Galápagos, and a Research Delegate to Cuba with the National Art Education Association have expanded this dialogue globally, enriching the way I connect culture, ecology, and community through art.

Looking forward, I seek to refine and expand my practice through immersive environments and larger-scale sculptural installations inspired by the shifting ecosystems of coastal and marine life. I envision installations of ceramic coral fields, tidal strata, and erosion-inspired wall works that evoke both wonder and awareness. My goal is to connect the fragile resilience of the Gulf Coast to broader global conversations on climate change, ecological interdependence, and cultural memory.

Recognized as Teacher of the Year at campus, district, and regional levels, and most recently as a 2025 Merit Artist at Rockport Center for the Arts, I have seen how the arts can transform classrooms, communities, and public spaces. Returning home to South Padre Island after two decades in Houston, I am deeply committed to creating work that is both rooted in place and connected to a global dialogue.

Ultimately, each piece I create—whether in the studio, in collaboration with others, or through community engagement—reflects my ongoing commitment to cultivating connection, stewardship, and wonder through the arts.