About ten years ago, after Eva was injured in a car accident, the physical demands of conducting building inspections became too difficult.

Turning to art to fill her time, she took a ceramics course, fell in love with the medium, and began sculpting fruit, vegetable, and flower pieces for which she has become known.

At an art-gallery show, her work caused an immediate stir; one offering brought $3,600 at a children’s-hospital auction.