Along the state line between Kentucky and Indiana are my family roots. Recycling and folk arts such as quilting and rug making are family traditions born of necessity. Many household decorative items, problem solutions and remedies were developed from materials at hand. My father was a third generation printer working with text, grids, and page design.

Returning stuff to use - inventing and creating - is still a major source of interest for me. My own chicken coop is filled with saved and donated stuff; colored plastic bags, children's toys, fabric scraps, bottle caps and so on. Most of my work results from an investigation of the potentials of these found materials. The art work often includes text and images arranged in a grid formation reminiscent of quilt, carpet, and graphic design. My goal is to achieve both an aesthetic and a poignant human communication.

Because the materials I use have quite different properties, the works often seem quite disparate. However, as Judith Tannenbaum, Curator of Contemporary Art at RISD, commented, its unifying element is that it is all piece work. Or perhaps she meant peace work. I¹m not sure because my work is indeed both.

I'm proud to share with you that my brother, sister, and I are first generation High School graduates. My brother went on to become a medical doctor, my sister became a highly respected breeder of Labrador Retrievers, and I've earned a masters degree in fine arts and a growing reputation as a professional artist.