Artist's Statement

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I started my work as a clay artist primarily because clay is such a malleable medium, very tactile.  It allowed me to construct, deconstruct, and reconstruct my sculptures.  My work is very organic, from the earth, following nature’s configurations.  The strength of the rock structures inspired me to create forms that may be seen as organic human profiles, an exploration of shapes.  As my interest in natural forms grew I discovered that I could enlarge my concept of natural formations by working with handmade paper.  This material gave me the ability to explore the cliffs and canyons of the vast Southwestern landscape using the construct, deconstruct, reconstruct method that is so much a part of my process.  I love the idea that I was able to create the perception of strength and resilience while using paper which is typically considered to be fragile, almost delicate.  In juxtaposition to the mass, strength and resilience of stone we have the diminutive, fragile man-made dwellings of our earliest inhabitants, in ruins. Paper has allowed me to explore concepts of permanence and transience.  Incorporated within these structures I have pursued my passion for sinuous line, challenging the eye to explore the shapes and relationship of the forms.  As I became increasingly interested in introducing color into my pieces I decided to change my focus to flowers still incorporating the same methods of construction but allowing me to work with the idea of transparency and light. Although I have used paper to portray contradictory themes, my fascination with undulating, sinuous line, form and texture have remained.