My CREATIVE PRACTICE –
All of my adult creative life I have been deeply fascinated by color, the power of objects, symbols and metaphor, and both the psychology and nature of consciousness. Some, possibly all, of these elements play a part in nearly every piece I have created.
Beginning as a young child, drawing with my large box of crayons, there were never enough color choices. In my world, colors not only refer to what we see around us but can also hold emotional, psychological, and even synesthetic meaning. Color is usually the starting point of my works or, conversely, it is completely absent in order to delete its many references – and to reveal others.
Since my early days I have also been a collector of numerous small and seemingly non-precious objects or forms. When I was young it occurred to me that each ‘thing’ or form in the world is imbued with its own unique spirit. For me forms contain the potential for a myriad of stories, sometimes when they appear alone, but most notably when in relation to other visual cues.
The gentle play of symbol and metaphor continually intrigues me – along with questions and metaphysical musings. This includes queries such as: What is beyond our small selves on this particular planet? How do we construct a larger understanding from the things we perceive? and How might we even allow a change of mind when little pieces fall into place to create a larger picture? In my work I offer an invitation to interpret, and to set the stage for reading meaning, without insisting that we all agree.
An Extremely Brief BIOGRAPHY –
Born in San Francisco, my family relocated to Portland, Oregon when I was nine, which is where I live to this day.
Since graduation from art school in the mid 1970s, I have exhibited my work in numerous solo, two- and three-person and group shows, both regionally and nationally, both invitational and juried.
For over 35 years, I had the pleasure of teaching art at one of Portland’s premier art schools, the Oregon College of Art and Craft, retiring in 2018 as a Professor Emerita.
Beyond my studio and teaching practices, I have avidly participated in a conscious dance community for over 20 years; and have acted as the primary sign creator for Oregon Country Fair’s sustainable energy educational area (Energy Park) for 35 years.
For an actual CV – please click here
Thank you very much for your interest.