Ramah COMMANDAY

I began working in clay in high school. In college, and beyond, my teachers have been Al Johnson and Bruce McDougal in Santa Cruz, and later, in Israel, Ruth Duckworth and Jean Meyer. I’ve enjoyed a second career as a school psychologist and for those years, clay work has had to be part-time. 

During the past several years, inspired by wood firing, and the natural beauty of the Napa Valley, my work has taken the direction you see here. Beginning in June, I’ll return to clay work full time and continue to climb the endless learning curve that is high temperature wood firing. 

It’s been exciting to “go public” with these pieces. In past years, I’ve participated in a couple of Napa Valley Open Studio events, in the 50th Anniversary UCSC Alumni show. This year, together with a painter and photographer, I’ll have shows in the Christopher Brodigan Gallery in Groton, Massachusetts, and in the Peoria Art Center, in the coming year.  So far, the work has been very well received.