Headed to Ghost Ranch: My Upcoming Residency at Estudio Corazón

This summer, I’ll be stepping away from my day-to-day routine in Denver and heading south to New Mexico for a two-week artist residency at Estudio Corazón at Ghost Ranch.

If you’ve never been, Ghost Ranch is one of those places that stays with you. My family has taken several trips there over the years, wandering the desert landscape, taking in the colors, the textures, and the stillness that seems to stretch for miles. It’s a place that feels both grounding and expansive at the same time. To return there not as a visitor, but as a resident artist, feels incredibly meaningful.

Why This Residency Matters to Me

Ceramics started as a way for me to quiet my mind after long days running my marketing business. Over time, it has grown into something much bigger. It has become an artistic practice, a community, and a way to connect with others.

That said, most of my current work happens within a structured rhythm. Teaching classes, hosting workshops, running my studio, and collaborating with other artists are all things I love. They also come with deadlines, logistics, and expectations.

This residency is an opportunity to step outside of that structure.

For two weeks, I’ll be focused entirely on creating, exploring, and learning. There will be no packed schedule, no constant notifications, and very little cell service. Just clay, landscape, and time.

What I’m Hoping to Explore

One of the things I’m most excited about is how the New Mexican landscape will influence my work.

I’ve already started to see hints of that in pieces I’ve made, like baking dishes inspired by desert tones or coil-built forms that pay homage to ancient clay traditions. Being immersed in that environment full time will allow me to go deeper. I want to study the colors of the earth, the way light moves across the terrain, and how natural forms can be translated into ceramic surfaces and structures.

I’m also interested in continuing to explore alternative firing methods like Raku. The rawness of fire, smoke, and reduction feels aligned with the desert environment. There is something about working with unpredictable elements in a place that feels vast and untamed.

Beyond the technical side, I want to push myself creatively. I want to try ideas that might not work, build pieces that are more experimental, and follow curiosity without worrying about the outcome.

The Power of Creative Community

Another important part of this experience is the opportunity to connect with other artists.

Throughout my journey, collaboration and community have been some of the most important drivers of growth. Whether it is teaching students, working alongside other potters in Denver, or hosting Raku firings in my backyard, I have seen how much we learn from each other.

At Ghost Ranch, I will be surrounded by artists from different disciplines, backgrounds, and perspectives. That kind of environment is energizing. It challenges you to think differently, ask new questions, and approach your work in new ways.

Bringing It Back Home

While I’m excited for the residency itself, I’m equally excited about what comes after.

My goal is not just to create new work while I’m there, but to bring that inspiration back to my studio, my students, and my community in Denver. Whether that shows up in new classes, new techniques, or new bodies of work, I want this experience to ripple outward.

Ceramics has always been about more than just the finished piece for me. It is about the process, the people, and the stories behind the work.

Looking Ahead

This residency feels like a milestone in my journey. It is not an endpoint, but a moment to pause, reflect, and push forward in a new direction.



I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity and excited to see what comes out of it.

If you’ve followed my work so far, thank you for being part of the journey. I’ll be sharing updates, experiments, and finished pieces along the way.

Stay tuned.