Artists statement

My artistic practice utilizes mythology, dream humor, and whimsy.

I am always in search of objects, craft materials, photos, and found text, to tell my stories of imaginary worlds, dreams, and imagery from our collective unconscious.

I am a painter, sculptor and eco-artist, I use recycled materials to create three-dimensional work. It is a process of rebirth from discarded materials into masks, dioramas, sculptures, collage and assemblage. The continuity in all my work is the re-use of found and untraditional materials. I create with paper maché, playdough, paper, pressed cardboard, found objects, fabric, toys, buttons, ceramic, magazines, newspaper, and packing foam.

 My influences are world folk art and the artists Red Grooms, Robert Rauschenberg, and Betye Saar. I am inspired by Latin American masks, primitive Mid-Century American art, and children’s drawings. My creative goal is to capture the innocence of childhood, fantasies, folklore, and the wit of Dada.

This current body of work is a deeper dive into storytelling.

My artistic goal is to capture and share intimate fragments of time and place specific to the culture of the locations I visit, as well as freeze a moment in the daily life of an imaginary world. In my dioramas and assemblages I capture both the innocence of childhood memories, fantasies, and the wit of Dada. I use toys, found objects, and craft materials as well as photos and text to tell stories of magical worlds which I remember or have dreamed.

My collages, photos, Artist’s Books, prints and drawings are drawn from my travels (most recently to Italy, Cuba, Prague, Berlin, and Hawaii). I record my observations in journals, sketchpads and photos. These become the basis for my Artist’s Books, which are calendars with drawings, collages and recipes of the foods I have eaten. The collages are made from cut paper, photos, newspapers, musical notations, fabric, pen and ink and found textures. One of my favorite materials is the lining of the envelopes that our bills are mailed in. I also collect and incorporate advertising art, wrapping paper, toys, packaging and textiles from my travels. It is a treasure hunt for hidden gems with which I engage my imagination.

   In INNER VISIONS I create dioramas as an experience of wonder and amusement for viewers. You enter a field of created landscapes, a juxtaposition of found objects, planes, color, and surfaces. I work on a small scale for it’s intimacy and playfulness. I am creating tiny, dream-like, nostalgic, romantic, and witty stage-sets for my tiny characters and the audience to enjoy. Little objects loom large, and found objects take on a new meaning in this context. I have been influenced by folk art, dollhouses and mid-50’s tourist souvenirs. I teach art to very young children using techniques and materials which I can then apply to my own tiny interior worlds.

     In OUTER WORLDS I create collage drawings of people and landscapes that move me as I travel. These collages then become black and white prints. Look closely at the prints, and you will see found textures, advertising copy, imagery cut out and juxtaposed upon other images, newspaper text, and photography.  These elements are relevant to the folk art, culture, and daily life of each locale. I am influenced by the artwork, cuisine, and rich history of each place I visit. My goal is to capture and share glimpses and fragmentary moments of life as I journey within their worlds.