Jill Taylor      

Ceramic Art & Vessels    
What can a person say about themselves that is really interesting?  Not much, but here goes.  I live on an island near Seattle, Washington State, where I follow my spiritual calling,  make my clay art and garden. I have grown flowers, shrubs and trees for the 15 years we lived here. Now we are learning to grow food. Wonderful! With my husband, Doug, we work to make a shack into a cottage, the endless remodel.

I have worked in clay for over 20 years and before that, I carved miniatures in various materials. Previous to my sojourn into art, I had a background in math and science. These skills helped me understand the chemistry and formulation of clay and the development of glazes. When my father died, my life changed, I wanted to be more creative. While I was good at math and loved it, I realized I had been eager to please my father who admired the hard sciences. I had my own math and science tutoring business during that time.  I have also taught ceramic art privately in my home.  We lived in Northern California, in the northern part of the Bay Area.

 Our little "cottage,"  my studio, meditation room and workshop barn.
 (from left to right)

This building started out as a cabin for the local lumber workers, over 90 years ago.  It has been added onto and we built the sunroom for light and warmth which saves my sanity.  It rains up here, a LOT.  We carved the garden out of the wilderness. Now it is my pride and joy. The pictures don't do it justice.

  

I grew up near here, out in the sticks.  I moved away when I was 18.  I dropped out taking only my baby daughter of 8 months and almost no money to go be a flower child, lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 27 years and came back here near to where I grew up due to my husband's job. He is now retired.   My daughter and grandchildren lived in the Seattle area as well.   Now I am an aging boomer like many others. In many ways I have been very lucky to live in this beautiful place.

My miniatures and beads can be found at Beads of Bainbridge here on Bainbridge Island, WA.
Some of my Samurai Cats can be found at Old Town Frame and Gallery in Silverdale, WA.   

In addition to art and science, I have a deep abiding interest in the spiritual life and even considered becoming a monk if it weren't for the gender barrier.  I content myself now to be a householder and an artist.