Artist Statement

I want to make real to others the way I experience the world around me. Often in my day-to-day life, I look sometimes too far into the details.  I notice the two different textures on my computer monitor; the elegant and minimalist design of my iPhone.  I note the mechanical problems in my computer speakers (they easily fall over because the bottoms of them are rounded and not squared).  I also note how I could fix it.
Metalwork has been my focus since 2002, but as I began my final descent into my BFA, I began working in other materials.  My focuses became metals, ceramics and photography.  Each of these medium have great potential, allowing infinite avenues of expression, both individually and together.
Becoming a good jeweler came first; my ideas were based in design, with minimal content; what drove me more then was color, contrast and movement.  Today I am still quite driven by color, contrast and movement, but instead of merely trying to invoke those things, I am working toward invoking those elements and allowing the viewer to have a connection with the pieces because of it.
My current metalwork has had to do with insects, self-reflection and surprise.  I greatly enjoy the idea of someone turning over my piece, which might seem nice, but perhaps boring, then seeing the other side and being shocked at the other side.  Or enthralled.  Or baffled.  Or in awe.  I would even take offended, scared or disgusted, as long as you have a reaction at all.
My work in ceramics has focused on construction and understanding the clay. I like to create minimalist works, and am influenced by the Finnish modern and contemporary works.  I am inspired by utilitarian works, and also pottery from China and Japan.
Photography is something I picked up because I like to capture the world around me.  I like to capture the way we, as in humans, work and to capture those moments of work in a digital format.  If I were to choose a favorite, I would say portraits are my favorite to photograph, along with small-scale object photography.  I love shallow depth of field, I love how it makes the item(s) in focus really pop!

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