Prickly Heart Art is a haven for unique, handmade ceramic sculptures and pottery. Vanessa's journey with clay began at the University of Texas at El Paso. Ceramics became a passion and focus of Vanessa's minor. She graduated from UTEP with a BFA in Graphic Design and Ceramics in 2007.

After graduating Vanessa continued to create with clay and even learned some pottery techniques while living in Okinawa, Japan.

Vanessa took a break from working with clay upon having her first son and after missing working in the medium for years and a long hiatus, she decided to pick working with clay back up.

Currently having about 10 years of experience, split up over 20 years.

Vanessa also loves to paint - which was also a minor for several semesters. She has been painting professionally for the past 7+ years. Creating murals around El Paso as well as being a featured artist in museums and galleries in El Paso.