My Story
I have been an artist for as long as I can remember. At a very early age I was encouraged to be creative with my imagination and hands. I was taught to use tools, from the sewing machine to the hammer and power saw, and a frugal upbringing made me inventive and resourceful by necessity.
I was fortunate to attend schools that allowed an art and craft focus, and took pottery, jewelry making, and design courses from my early teen years. I was always frustrated by the narrow focus of academia; this directed me to pursue my own course of study, which I have maintained to the present. I graduated with a BFA in printmaking, while practicing my true interests in the broad field of fiber art.
While growing up my family travelled a great deal world wide, living in other cultures, and this naturally has had a lasting influence on me. I have continued to travel whenever possible, and it is always artistically rewarding. I live in a beautiful area of the northern hills, and I find constant inspiration in the pastoral landscape, and the agricultural ties to the land and seasons. Even though I live in a small city, I feel myself a world-citizen, with a sympathetic eye for other cultures.
I am the fortunate beneficiary of a partner who is a bibliophile, and I have read all the books available in my fields of textiles and jewelry, history and art. My house is full of books, I am surrounded by books, and through them I have travelled through both space and time, and so constantly expand my concepts and understanding.
During my adult life I have worked with my partner as an antiquarian, and this has also had a huge influence on my art work. Seeing and dealing in the decorative arts has given me a wide design vocabulary, and a sense of the enduring value of fine workmanship. It has given me the opportunity to create collections of many kinds, and create art works that expand and focus them.
Through dedicated study I have learned to work in different media and explore many techniques and artistic pathways, always drawn forward by something new to learn. Sometimes I feel distracted by my constant "kindergarten effect" but most of the time I feel it keeps my work fresh and interesting.
I focus on universal themes and classic design concepts; I am never political or controversial. To make a thing that is a pleasure to see, and beautiful to contemplate, is my artistic intention.
