While pursuing a Fine Art Diploma at Malaspina College (now VIU) in Nanaimo BC, Ellen has a serendipitous meeting with clay and became instantly addicted. She was often the first to arrive at the ceramics studio in the morning, and the last to leave at night.

After receiving her diploma, she returned to Campbell River and continued her art education and work in Raku at North Island College. For years she balanced a working life and caring for family together with her pottery career. In 2006 she made the decision to work full time in the studio, and has never looked back.

“When I get my hands into the clay, all is right in my world. Clay is truly a magical material and I have not begun to exhaust the possibilities.”