ARTIST STATEMENT: I am a 2010 graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology, Bachelor’s of Fine Arts. My training includes having worked in studios at Penland (NC), Urban Glass (NY), Glassworks (KY), Flame Run (KY), Corning (NY), Goggle Works (PA), and in New Jersey, at Belle Meade Hot Glass and Vandermark Merritt Studio.
I have had the honor to study with three of the Venetian Glass Masters, Lino Tagliapietra, Davide Salvadore, and Vittorio Constantini when they visited the US. I have also been fortunate to study and work with many other outstanding glass artists, Kenny Pieper, Luke Jacomb, Ben Edols, Doug Merritt, James Vella and my professors, Michael Rogers and Robin Cass.
I am a curious person which often leads to my artistic inspiration. I love rainy days, Christmas, art museums, roller blading, golf, walking in the woods, waterfalls, the ocean, music, fishing, family, friends and movies that take me to new places. The formula for my work is personal; I am focused; each piece receives my enthusiasm and perseverance for excellence. My vision for each piece encompasses an understanding of the properties and movement of glass and application of color.
I have learned that people want to understand what they see in a piece of art. The themes and patterns of my work are varied. Some pieces have no message; they are simple, colorful, playful, or functional. Others are serious, and complex. I want to engage people to look at the work over and over, and find something new and beautiful each time. In the end, I trust each piece promotes an understanding and appreciation of glass art. Whenever I part with a piece of my glass, I feel a piece of my life goes with it. Each piece is part of my journey.
A good example is my American Indian Basket series. My great grandmother was full-blooded Cherokee Indian and I feel the connection with my heritage. The series is unique in many ways. I used 3 separate techniques to create this one-of-a-kind series: encalmo, graal and sand-blasting. The encalmo/graal technique allows for different colors to be layered inside and out. The sand-blasting allows the inside color to be seen. To my knowledge the use of these three techniques together to make single pieces of art is original. The patterns and names are taken from known Indian basket designs.
BACKGROUND STORY: In 1993, at age 5, I was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer; a malignant rhabdomyosarcoma; stage III, inoperable tumor, sitting behind my left eye and penetrating my brain. My parents were told that I had a 5 percent three-year survival. I was in the hospital for 18 months, at least once a month and often for weeks at a time. The experience forced an early understanding of life and death, the true meaning of friendship, commitment and determination.
I continue to experience side effects of the treatment; but, with the support of my family, the brilliance of my medical team, and the intervention of a higher power, I am alive. I’ve learned that life is short; it is important to treasure each day; to spend your days doing what you love.
There are two analogies related to my experience. The first is related to the Greek mythical bird, the Phoenix. The Phoenix is a fire spirit, a beautiful bird, that at the end of its life-cycle burns fiercely; but, from the fire and ashes, it is reborn, and rises again. I feel I have emerged from the fire, and I am living the life I love; and as chance would have it, I now find myself working with fire. From the fire, emerges beautiful things — first, my life, and second, the art that I am able to create.
A second analogy is the cancer treatment process itself. From the beginning it is an all-or-nothing journey. When starting the treatment, most choose to see it through to the end, whatever that may be. There is no taking a break and starting again later. Blowing glass is similar to that. Once I take that first gather of molten glass from the furnace, I am committed. There is no putting the piece away to finish it tomorrow. I must work the piece through to the end, even if the outcome is not what I desired. During that process, the piece undergoes many changes and, at times, due to many reasons, can almost be lost. Like the result of my cancer treatment, fortunately, most of the pieces result in something beautiful.