Born and raised in England, Marilyn came to the United States with her family in 1955. Ten years later, in 1965, she moved to Alaska. She began her artistic career working with watercolor, oils, pastels, and charcoal. After discoveing clay while attending nursing school at the University of Alaska Anchorage, she transitioned to 3-dimensional art. Clay became her passion. She has been "playing in the mud" ever since. Her work in clay has evolved from the classical wheel-thrown form to altered and sculptural, which she accomplishes in her garage studio.
Marilyn works primarily with raku-fired clay. This is an ancient Japanese firing technique that has only been practiced in the west for about 50 years. This process involves firing the clay piece, after it has been dried and glazed, until it it glows poker hot red. This occurs at a temperature of about 2000 degrees. Once the piece reaches this state it is quickly taken from the kiln and placed in a nest of flammable material inside a metal garbage can. More material is thrown on top and it is covered with the lid. This is the reduction stage where all the oxygen is removed from the can, giving the luster and color to the glazes.
Marilyn currently has two of her works touring the United States in the "Art Rage US," juried exhibit that opened in San Francisco. She retired from nursing in 1998 and now devotes all her time to clay.
