This piece was part of my 2026 show titled, Verucas’s Daughter, at The Arts Center in Corvallis, OR. The theme of the show was to ask if in the present moment, must every work be a deeply meaningful commentary on the world, or is it enough if it simply makes the viewer smile for a moment?

I handbuilt The Guide, using a pale stoneware. After forming the creature and her companions, I handpainted each with underglaze and put them through the bisque fired. I then applied multiple glazes to create different effects, including a puff glaze for the Guide’s legs. Once cooled, I added copious amounts of 22k gold luster to the Guide’s upper body plus other patterning and details, followed by a third and final firing.

This piece is approximately 8” tall.

Kitty companion is approximately 1.75” tall.

Little one eye spirit is approximately 1.5” tall.

The figure perched inside the Guide’s pouch is permanently attached. The cat and cyclops can be arranged as desired.