Prickly Heart Art is colorful and textured art inspired by nature, brought to life in ceramic sculptures, pottery and paintings. 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.