About The Artist
Mixing media has always been my favorite way to work. Sometimes my work is two-dimensional, and sometimes it is more sculptural. Often there are elements of collage or assemblage. I also prefer to incorporate materials that would usually be discarded. Resourcefulness has been part of my creative process since I was a child. I find a thrill in the challenge of upcycling something that is trash into something useful or interesting to look at. Layering materials is also a major part of my process. I thoroughly enjoy experimenting with the way the media interact and watching the surface evolve as each layer is applied. The themes of my work derive from my personal experiences, beliefs, and curiosity about nature.
Recently I have been working specifically with reclaimed cardboard boxes. Due to the pandemic, and shopping online more frequently, cardboard has become a readily available material. I wanted to find a way to give this material new life as art. My first cardboard project was a frame for an artwork that needed a non-traditional frame. From there I started looking at the boxes differently and thinking of various ways I could incorporate them and other “discarded” materials.
I studied art at Messiah College, in Pennsylvania, with concentrations in photography and textiles. After college, I started teaching art at a public elementary school and have continued to teach at various levels, including middle school, summer art camps at The Appleton Museum of Art, and workshops for teachers. Currently, I teach 2D Studio Art at a local high school.
Upcycled
When creating my artwork, I often incorporate unusual and upcycled items into my process and finished pieces.
Quality
I strive to provide quality artworks, for visual enjoyment and purchase. Much of my process focuses on the media and how it is applied.
Avant-garde
My process involves experimenting with art media and pushing the boundaries of what might be considered art material.
Expertise
I have formal art training plus many years of continued learning and teaching art processes. I continue to seek even more knowledge and experience.
It’s A Process
This video shows the process for a specific visual journal page.