Valorum Decorum:
Small Breastplate, Strong Medicine

Found object sculpture for the exhibit, Breastplates & Other Artful Armor Against Cancer. 12"W x 19"H (2006)

I based this piece on breastplates of the Native American Indians.  Metal brads form the "ribs". The red circle represents the heart, the lifeblood, the breastplate is protecting. I was thinking of patients of mine who had breast and lung cancer.  I imbued it with a breath of hope for them.

Shamans: Temporary Paper Studies

Studies made from layers of copy paper for larger sculptures. 4"D x 8.5"H (2007)

In preparation for creating larger sculptures, I was exploring various types of markmaking, alterations in integrity, and coloration that identifies individual personality. Influences are African tribal.

Vase ala Matisse
(from Vase ala Matisse series)

Painting featured on cover of Natural Awakenings magazine and influenced commission of four paintings and prints for
a Best Western hotel in Florida. 36"W x 48"H

I was studying the works of Matisse and Picasso at the time and was interested in color and division of space.  I am finding that vases of flowers are metaphorical figurative works for me. 

Precious Debris

Found object sculpture. Artist collection. 8"W x 8"H  x 8"D (2008)

Through my exploration of spatial relationships, I created this piece as an example of containment.  By using recycled and new objects, the "debris" in the composition, I am looking at moving the objects into new relationships with each other.  By putting the new form on a pedestal, I have made it "precious", for the moment.

The Mentor
(from the Men in Ties series)

Abstract painting. Owned by Malloy Properties.
18"W x 24"H (2007)


Layering of texture and color has been a part of my creative practice since graduating from art school. I think it comes from teaching myself painting after studying itaglio printmaking and working with firing clay.  In both processes, I never knew what the end result would turn out to be until the piece came out of the kiln or from the last run of the press.  In this piece, the texture was created by collaging plastic shopping bags to paper and covering it with gesso. The "aha" moment of seeing something for the first time even though I have had my hand in making it, is what keeps my practice new and exciting to me.