Lehman’s “Patricia Got a Problem,” which was created for the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts conference in Arizona last year, made its way past 1,862 other submissions.

“I kinda saw Patricia as a cross between a ancient Chinese empress and Queen Amidala,” Lehman tells SFR in an email.

For the final leg of the competition, Lehman must create an all-new piece incorporating Julius the Monkey, but Lehman is keeping his lips closed as to what he’s working on.

“I think it is really great to be a part of this whether I am chosen or not,” Lehman says. “I have been a fan of Paul frank for several years and do have some articles hanging in my closet.”

The grand-prize winner will be announced Oct. 20, so perhaps everyone else can have some Lehman articles in their closets.