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Since graduating from San Francisco State University with a degree in Art, my jobs have been diverse:
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Art teacher (all ages including incarcerated youth)
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Artist in Residence (Washington State Arts Commission and Confluence Projects in the Schools)
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Designer and fabricator of many commissioned public art works
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Illustrator for numerous interpretive panels for parks and boardwalks
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And...motel owner!
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All the while, I primarily focused on the making of individual art tiles, continuously adding new designs to my line.
While living in Cambria, California, I visited Hearst Castle in San Simeon many times. Fortuitously, I became good friends with the master tile restoration specialist there who taught me many of the mold making techniques that I still use today in my tile making. One of my first tile commissions, in fact, was William Randolph Hearst, Jr’s guest house in the hills above the castle.
I have spent years researching and perfecting the use of materials such as vitreous clay, durable glazes, concrete and steel that are appropriate to the environment where they are being used. In addition, I will give advice on the use of the proper substrate, which is vitally important to the installation. To date, all of my installations have held up very well.
As an artist who spends a great deal of time in my home studio, the process of getting out and interacting with clients, designers and architects helps me artistically and professionally. Keeping the client’s vision in mind, I bring the tools and experience to the job to make your dream a reality. It’s extremely rewarding to hear people say that the tiles they look at every day give them great joy in a very personal way.
Willapa Bay Tile and Design’s finished installations have been featured in many publications and books including:
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Sunset Magazine
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Ceramics Monthly
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Coastal Living and Coast Style magazines
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Architectural Ceramics by Peter King
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The Ceramic Design Book– A Gallery of Contemporary Works |
Reneé O'Connor in her studio assembling sidewalk mosaics
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