In the past, I've always considered myself a 2-D artist, but since opening Art Village three years ago, I have gained an appreciation of the 3-D arts. There is a meditative quality to working with clay.

Throwing pottery is definitely a different skill set than drawing and painting. When I sit at the potter's wheel, my only objective is to get a vessel-like shape. Since I'm not a potter, this is the most difficult part.

Next, I usually have plenty of clay to work with, so I carve designs or shave the vessel into a shape.

After it's fired I paint the glazes in a very deliberate fashion and create a design with color that compliments the form and shape. I tend to do on one at a time from start to finish. It's like a 3-dimensional painting.

If you live in Central Wisconsin and are interested in learning to throw pottery, visit the Art Village website at www.artvillageusa.com and sign up for a class.