About

	After serving eight years in the Army Reserves and three deployments, I found it difficult to process many of my experiences. I needed to find an outlet for the thoughts and emotions that continued to flow. It wasn't until 2017 that an outlet finally emerged.
For my birthday, my wife took me to one of our favorite wineries, Arterra Wines, where we participated in a Sip, Sculpt and Glaze event. It was there I met artist, Sandy Gray Murray. She and her husband own the winery and the art studio, Hawkmoth Arts, on the same site. As the resident artist, she holds workshops incorporating elements of the vineyard into the pieces that guests make. She provides basic instruction, and allows you to go to create. I was hooked.
	It wasn't long after that experience that I participated in a Try-It throwing class at Alexandria Clay Co-op and eventually started classes. Over time, I found my niche as a hand-builder under the masterful Dick White's instruction. I am now a member of the studio where I've been creating and evolving ever since.