In 2004, I had the awesome opportunity to take a sabbatical for 2 months. I traveled the United States by car for a month, through several national parks and across old Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles. Visiting Yellowstone National Park provided incredible artistic inspiration. The abundance of animals and beautiful natural landscape make the park a national treasure. The Yellowstone Paint Pot Series is a tribute to that treasure. The bubbling mud pots and water features are alive with activity and amazing colors created by nature. The functional tableware, art pieces and jewelry are interpretation of the "paint pots" created by the thermal activity in the Park.