Statement

My collage technique includes combining photo fragments, drawings, prints, cloth, beads, and repurposed materials with a variety of media, including paint, pastels, and ink. I may incorporate part of a local map, award ribbons from my childhood, or beeswax from the hives we care for into my mixed media collages. My creative process involves exploring the aesthetic qualities of these materials, as well as the meaning and memories they hold for me. I then create imaginary tableaus. The surrealistic quality of the final images allows the viewer to embrace many interpretations and possibilities of meaning.

My art also reflects my passion for reading. Sometimes a poem or a phrase acts as a starting point for a collage; other times I add words and text cut from old books. I also write as part of my creative process, embedding words in the layers of my mixed media pieces. Many of my collages are personal narratives, attempts to express the emotions surrounding experiences.

Some of my collages are adhered to supports of paper, wood, or canvas, while others are adhered directly onto small boxes and drawers.