I received my BFA at the University of Texas at Austin. While teaching
Art in the classroom I continued to study photography, ceramics,
textiles and printmaking at Santa Chiara, Italy; Parsons and The
Fashion Institute of Technology, New York; and the Southwest School of
Art and Craft, San Antonio respectively. After exploring these mediums
separately I have begun to combine them in both sculptural and
mixed-media pieces. The techniques I am developing enable me to use my
background in different areas to express my thoughts about history,
culture and balance in life.
I live in Houston, TX with one cat, three dogs and three people and the
occasional possum.
artist statement
I use both text and imagery in my mixed-media pieces. The theme of a
book, an entry or even a word on a page sparks an association in my
mind. The images I use range from artifacts to sections of well known
or period paintings to iconic forms. I create the pieces using paper,
fabric, photography, hand printed patterns, paints, dyes. I often
stitch into or burning patterns into the surface. Both the stitching
and burning relate to ritual and life process. When I am creating the
work I think about how the mind organizes images, memories and
information on a constant basis. I am fascinated with the way new
information is taken in and ordered in the mind whether it be the
conscious or unconscious. Sometimes this information shifts from the
unconscious to the surface or vice versa. The way I choose images and
text works in similar manner. I work both intuitively and
intellectually. The process is varies itself, going back and forth to
balance both intellect and emotion. I strive to get a similar reaction
in the viewer. Each piece offers a contrast of balances: past and
present, intellect and emotion, beauty and the stark realities of human
experience.