As an infant I was placed in a hollow on the side of a hill under an old oak tree. The smells of the freshly dug earth, the sun dappling on my face, and the gentle rocking of the tree were my companions. Wind gusts rustled my hair and leaves visited me while I gazed up and waved my arms in celebration. Acorns and bugs watched while the grasses danced and whispered me to sleep, leaving me kin to nature. This experience is expressed in my work through natural found objects and representational forms.
One afternoon, when I was twelve, I watched from my window as my neighbor welded. The arc of sparks was never-ending, beautiful, and mesmerizing. No matter how hard I tried I could not see his project for the bursts of light. I had no idea these bright flashes were burning small holes in the backs of my eyes. This unexpected gift left me with companion spots that live where I look. These multiple void shapes appear in my work through texture, repeated forms, piercings, and movement.
My current work reflects a ritual of disassembling the strata of these remembered events. I break them into the relevant pieces then like an offering, I add metalwork to honor their distinct beauty. They are a reflection of self through the lens of my life experiences. I am fascinated by the poetry of shadows, those voids left by encroaching lichen, crisscrossing tree branches, and the paths of time. This work speaks to the peace and solace of nature.
Undefinable Ring
Copper, Black Walnut Bark, Sea Stone, Sterling Silver, Patina