Debi Lane is a Mississippi native, living in Mississippi the majority of her life. She is a self-taught potter and feels a true love for the process of continual exploration and experimentation. "The feel of the clay in my hands and the ability to take a lump of 'mud' and mold it into something that is either functional or visually appealing is magical. As I have worked in clay over the last 16+ years, I have developed a process to produce my own ash for glazes, as well as pushing the limits of my design. Growing up as a country girl and with Cherokee heritage, I lean toward the rustic styles with a bit of refinement. My newest endeavors with ash glazes add an extra level to this.", shares the artist. Debi's work includes sketching new ideas as they strike her, in order to preserve details for future work. She also utilizes the practice of visualization. "Before I bring a new work to life, I will create them a thousand times in my head first, going over every detail from assembly to decorative embellishments. I'm drawn to long flowing curves and love to see how I can push the limits of the clay, to create interesting visuals." The artist loves the unusual and will constantly reinvent her work, incorporating new forms. The search for individuality and an air of 'imperfectly perfect' is important to her work. "I started working in clay for fun, but continued it as it affords an outlet of expression that speaks to me softly and constantly. I cannot imagine not creating in clay. It truly breathes air into my soul."