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!

Returning to the clay body that I used from 1997 until 2010, I am experimenting with oxidation firing, and layered glazes. Soft pastels are coming along, and some unique textures are adding depth to the surfaces of the pottery.
The digital kiln allows me to slow-cool (downfire) the work, giving time for crystal development at the cricial temperature in the glazes, without having it melt right off the vertical surfaces. Some glazes show sizable crystals, while other are a beautiful satin due to microcrystals.
Experimentation goes on!