hello hello!

My name is Bernadette, or Bernie, and I am based out of Hillsborough, NC. I work with clay and doodle when I’m not covered in mud (which, let’s be honest, is most of the time). My first love is illustration and I’m always dreaming up new ways to sneak more of my drawings onto my clay creations. I draw inspiration from my Filipino American heritage, looking to precolonial Filipino designs and American pop culture for creative sparks. I play with the idea that I’m separated from my roots, and this evolving visual language is my way of building a bridge between my culture and my experience growing up all over America. Past and present. Far and near.

My ultimate goal is to create functional pieces that can be used and cherished every day—vessels that invite a deeper connection between people and their surroundings through eating, drinking, and sharing. And maybe, just maybe, my art will make those everyday rituals feel a little more special.