My story

Hi, my name is Shannon! Born and raised in the Hudson Valley, I am in love with our little corner of the world. The river, mountains, farms, and of course… the flowers, provide daily reminders of how beautiful life can be. I feel so grateful to be able to make, work, and live in this magnificent place. 

From the time I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to be an artist. My Grandmother, Jane O’Leary, had a small painting studio in her charming Gingerbread Victorian on Montgomery Street in Poughkeepsie, NY (although I was only 5 years old when she passed, I still recall what her house smelled like). I remember walking into that room, seeing all the different materials and images come to life through her hands. She’d give me piles of paper and let me draw and draw and draw. My Father, a musician, and my Mother, a preschool teacher, also believed in the magic of the arts and encouraged me to pursue them at every turn. After trying a few different majors (at a few different schools), I eventually landed in a ceramics class at Dutchess Community College (2006). Finally, I was home. 

I went on to receive a BFA in Ceramics (2013), a BS (2013) and MSed in Visual Arts Education (2019), all from SUNY New Paltz. After teaching art for 8 years in both public and private schools, I decided it was time to make the jump and pursue my own practice as a maker. With the support of family and friends, I now have a little studio attached to my house, surrounded by trees, birds, and a lively little stream. Stepping out on my own has given me permission to play. I am having so much fun experimenting with different clay bodies and techniques. The fact that I can share this life with my husband, Drew, is just icing on the cake. I look forward to making pieces that you will use with joy and share with someone you love!