What?

I rescue abandoned things and give them new lease on life. I love to pair dissimilar objects that were never meant to be together. Imagine Betty White and Iggy Pop having a love child. It’s that kind of anomaly I’m after. Something that makes you laugh and scratch your head at the same time.

Where?

I haunt old dump sites, beaches, railroad yards for that special something that calls to me. Sometimes I just see something off the side of the road or while hiking and snag my loot, but many times I "shop" at thrift stores and garage sales.

One of my favorite shops is "The Black Hole" in Los Alamos, NM. A military supply dump for all the old discarded military machinery, bombs and cast offs from a bygone era. It's the kind of place you don't want to go wandering around in alone or you might never come out.

As can be expected, my studio is full of lots of junk.

How?

If something is free, I gather indiscrimiately. But if I have to pay for money for something, I often wait for that special object that calls to me. I may not know exactly what I will do with the item, but I know I must have it. It might be a battered kitchen pot that has a lovely patina, an ornate Victorian hand mirror, an odd piece of taxidermy, or a rusty outdated tool.

Why?

On one level I simply can't resist creating mischief and coaxing humor from the most mudane objects. But on another level I am hoping to create a paradox or conundrum, an unexpected twist that presents the viewer with layers of meaning.

The universe if full of endless possibilities and I want to explore every one of them.

Acknowledgements
Thanks to the Black Rock Arts Foundation (BRAF), the Rocky Mountain Women's Institute (RMWI), the Contemporary Arts Forum, Kitchner (CAFKA), and the Littleton Arts Alliance for their financial support. Also to the Creative Capital Foundation and Anderson Ranch Arts Center for their support and opportunities to study with world class artists.

And to Huma Bhabha for her inspiration and thoughtful critiques and to Mera for her invaluable no nonsense feedback. To Ann Cunningham who introduced and encouraged me to explore tactile materials. And to the Ripley's Museums for their endless inspiration.

Jewelry

Exhibitions

Sculpture