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Works of art inspired by earth, color and life itself.
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Artist's Statement
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I'd love to meet you in person. Please click on the contact page to set up a time to meet.
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I am a mixed media artist whose current work includes painting and jewelry. Inspired by nature, geological forces, and Eastern philosophy, I work intuitively and utilize whatever materials will help me realize my vision – paint, wood, paper, precious stones and metals, resin, found objects, and humble materials.
According to Buddhism, we must embrace change, the only constant in the universe, or we become overwhelmed by fear of what the future holds. Buddhists believe that “right action” should guide our behavior as we face change and uncertainty. Change is ubiquitous and manifests in cycles of tearing down and rebuilding. Examples are found in biology, geology, civilizations, and psychology. Life itself is an ever-changing journey of cycles, layers, and spirals of experience. My work embodies and often symbolizes change. I reconstruct my memories and current observations in the form of abstract paintings and wearable objects. As I place the first mark on the surface, a visual conversation begins. When colors and shapes sit next to each other, the piece starts to live. It seems to develop a voice. I cannot control too much, or the work will stiffen and become lifeless. |
"It would give me great joy if my art inspired “right action” on behalf of Earth." Taking advantage of an accidental drip of paint or scraping the surface might be my response. I might add crayon, stitching, wire, glass beads, or a fragment of a map. If I have listened to and observed the work carefully, it becomes finished when there is a complete statement.
Like new societies that rebuild upon the remnants of older civilizations, I repurpose my old paintings as readily as my old ideas. Themes and metaphors recycle throughout my art. They emerge, disappear, and resurface, reflecting my passions and investigations. Archaeology, Buddhism, botany, geology, aerial photography, psychology, zoology, Zen gardens, and poetry often influence my work. For many years, I painted realistic landscapes to celebrate Earth’s beauty. Now I create with a more holistic understanding of change that includes my grief, fear, and anger at how we humans have behaved toward our planet. It would give me great joy if my art inspired “right action” on behalf of Earth. |