After leaving Papua New Guinea in 1979 and returning to America she worked on her illustrations of traditional stories until it became evident towards the end of the 1980's that she was losing the dexterity and control in her left hand and arm and that eventually she would not be able to draw or write.

In the early 1990's she started working with clay construction techniques and took classes at the University of California San Diego Craft Center under the guidance of ceramic artist Deedee Coppedge (pictured above).Using construction methods, pattern pressing, carving and glaze experimentation she made bowls, plates, tiles, jars, things to hang plants in, cookie jars, vases, fountain heads, tea pots, cups, jugs, an assortment of objects and sculptures.

She was still working on her pots a month before she died in 1998.

Some of the pieces have been given names and descriptions for the purpose of this site and for easy identification of files. Rosalie did not name them. For example a sculpture resembling a hooded female form with flowing lines has been called "The Dancer". Another piece that appears to have ribs and a heart valve has been affectionately dubbed "Mr Ribs and His Aorta". These have been given names and descriptions out of necessity and in no way indicate how Rosalie saw the works or intended for them to be seen.