Dr. Patricia Van West is a self-taught artist born in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. She has worked as a college professor, freelance writer, and editor but her life as an artist has been the most fulfilling. 

She took a ceramic workshop in 2013 and has been playing in the mud ever since.  Her work has been described as colorful, fun and funky.  Having no formal training helps explain her unconventional approach to making art.

She is best known for her firecracker pieces. These are created by blowing up a ball of clay with a firecracker to make fragile vases and candle holders.  Van West is represented by galleries in North Carolina and Florida.