My journey as an artist began in the "Cidade Maravilhosa"—the Marvelous City of Rio de Janeiro. Growing up a Carioca, I was surrounded by a carnival of color, sound, and culture, all under the watchful gaze of the Christ the Redeemer statue. This vivid world laid the foundation for a life of creativity.

In humble surroundings, I learned that art is about passion and the smiles you bring to others. I experimented with every medium I could find, from stone and mosaics to oil painting. Each mistake made me better; determination made me persevere. Over time, ceramics captured my heart. Clay, after all, is the product of a caring potter’s hand, just as life is the product of a Master Potter’s loving work.

From Two Worlds, One Style

When I arrived in the American Southwest, I discovered a new kind of beauty. The wind-swept coastline of Brazil was replaced by a desert laced with saguaros. From the fusion of these two worlds, an authentic style emerged. My work channels the color-drenched cactus luminaries of the desert and the textured, organic forms of the earth itself.

You’ll see that no two pieces are ever alike. Many surfaces are textured and carved, adorned with found objects—items discarded by the world, only to be rediscovered and imprinted in the clay. It’s beauty rescued from obscurity. Look closely, and you might recognize a piece of the world speaking back to you.

The Potter's Hand

Texturing and carving are my delight. In my home studio, which I lovingly call “Janine’s Loft,” you’ll find me intensely focused, often in the quiet, pre-dawn hours when inspiration strikes. With clay knives and tools in hand, I work to bring the naked clay alive with movement and personality. Every creation, from raw clay to final firing, begins and ends by my hands.

After studying under some of the region’s finest masters, I now blend everything I’ve learned with what I brought from Brazil and from childhood. My greatest success is measured simply by the smiles my work brings.

…and the journey has only just begun.