Ruth Hansen recieved a bachelor degree in Civil Engineering with a minor in art in 1980, and a master's degreen in geotechnical engineering in 1984. After trying to find her muse in engineering, she gave it all up (phew!) in 1987 and started working as a potter.
Grateful for her understanding of clay structure and glaze chemistry she ran Glass Ox Pottery in upstate New York for 8 years prior to moving to Wisconsin.
From 1996 to 2010 she operated Paoli West Pottery, selling at up to 14 art fairs per year, and to the Artistan's Gallery in Paoli.
She is currently living in a home, self-designed, with her husband, two dogs, a cat, 9 goats, 30 chickens, and about 35 FinnSheep. Coming back to pottery after a 14 year break has been a real pleasure!

I am greatly enjoying getting back into clay. Working with it calms me, satisfies me, and keeps my imagination active.
The white stoneware clay with mid-range oxidation glazes affords a clear, clean surface. Some glazes are highly glossy, others semi-matt. I stay away from matt glazes as they have a dry feel.
The digital kiln allows me to slow-cool (downfire) the work, giving time at just the right time and temperature to hold for crystal development in the glazes. Some glazes show sizable crystals (the light green), while other are a beautiful satin due to microcrystals.
Experimentation goes on!