I was raised in East Boston, Massachusetts. I am the product of a working class family. My grandfather and father were cabinet makers and carpenters, my brother Jim is a creative tool and die designer, younger brother Charlie is a talented woodworker. I received my BFA at the Massachusetts College of Art, Boston, Massachusetts in Art Education and Painting. My Masters degree as well as advanced graduate study degree are from Bridgewater State College, (Fine Art, Ceramics). I have worked for over 30 years as an artist/teacher in many capacities, including: teaching art in the Brockton, Massachusetts Public Schools, graduate ceramics at Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, Massachusetts and 12 years of teaching drawing/painting at the Brockton Art Museum. I became involved in ceramics at Bridgewater in 1986. I have been working steadily in this medium since that time. Ceramics, especially Raku, is a combination of the skill the potter possesses and the random effects of the fire, it is the ultimate test of the clay and the artist.

The art I create with this ancient technique is sculptural and based on the vessel form. Painting and printmaking are still an involvement. Recent work combines these and other media with clay and found objects. This mixing of media creates for me an original and personal aesthetic statement. The inspiration for my work in ceramics, graphics and painting comes from nature and natural elements. My feelings about Raku and other primitive smoking techniques were expressed well by (Jay Lacouture, Raku and Smoke North America 1984): "Whether it is the Zen ideal of surrendering oneself to the process or the Native American reverence for nature and the basic elements of earth, air, fire, water. The artist using Raku or smoke techniques has artistic roots planted firmly in tradition while facing the challenge posed by honesty to materials and process and the possibility of chance effects." I find great enjoyment experimenting with Raku form and glaze effects.

The art of making a great functional or decorative vessel is not a superficial manual skill, but, a deeper understanding of art, technology and function. These are hard-won from personal discipline of eye, hand and mind combined with depth of vision. I have had several one-man exhibits in Massachusetts galleries and have received many awards, including several first place awards. My artwork has been featured in movie and TV productions, is represented in national and international collections, and is currently being shown and sold in many galleries, shops and museums.