Artist Statement
I come from a creative family and have always loved all the arts, but my path as a visual artist hasn’t been a straight line. I’ve had detours along the way.
Ultimately that’s made my life — and art — more interesting. Sometimes when a gift has been neglected or buried … then later rediscovered, we treasure it all the more.
The Process
For many years my primary medium was paper collage. Using torn scraps and repurposing what might have been thrown away echoed my life story of rediscover and restoration.
I still believe that something beautiful can be made from ALL the bits and pieces of our lives.
More recently (since studying at the Milan Art Institute) I’ve incorporated painting and other media into my process.
It’s and exciting adventure to be a late bloomer (not to mention a lifelong learner!) and gives me a chance to encourage others who may not have tried something new for a while.
I do art the way I cook: I may start out following the recipe, but along the way I’ll substitue ingredients and tinker with it until I like it.
Mixed media lends itself easily to this spontaneous tinkering; the layers are loose and full of happen accidents, and some of my favorite discoveries happen as I go.
Here too I love to share the journey with others; I tell people in my workshops that our “mistakes” can be gifts in disguise and lead us into some marvelous new territory.
Seeing With New Eyes...
The other thing I do is enter the vision. In other words, I allow myself to engage in the intuitive or spiritual aspect of the artwork, opening up to see with my heart as well as my eyes.
This is especially true when I do commissions; I find myself picking up insights as to the gifts and unique qualities of each person with whom I collaborate. It’s a privilege to work in such a way that allows the personal to shine through.
“The main thing is to be moved, to love, to hope, to tremble, to live.” — Auguste Rodin
Read more about my gallery comments and personal commission guidelines … Also come visit me in person. My studio is located at Spirit Wind Center, in the historic Velvet Mill in Stonington, CT.
