How long have you been creating?

I've been doing some form of creating ever since I can remember. I didn't really discover my artistic talent until taking a portrait drawing class my first year of college.

Though I took a ceramics class in college, it wasn't until nearly ten years later, in 2002, that I rediscovered that medium in the form of mask making.

What is your media of choice?

Currently, sculpting clay and bead-work jewelry designing are my favorite mediums to work with. I've been able to combine the two with small, face pendants made of clay becoming the centerpiece of my necklaces.

What are you motivations for creating?

People, specifically, and nature generally are my biggest motivations. I've always been fascinated by the expression (or lack there of) of emotions on faces. I don't think it's a coincidence that the first actual art class I ever took was a portrait drawing class.

This motivation of the human face has translated over into my clay work consists primarily of sculpting masks.

What do you find visually stimulating right now?

I am really moved by photography and collage. Though I dabble in collage and am in awe of great, usually lesser known photographers, they both provide artistic inspiration.

What's the last book you read?

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. A surprisingly conservative book for my taste but it was nicely themed and written.

I know that you work in a lot of different media; what is it about clay and the human form that particularly inspires you? As strange as it may sound, I really just like how human faces are formed, you know?

Though everyone has the same parts, no two faces are the same. This makes my process of creating an image free form from a slab of clay more creative because the possibilities are endless.

Any idea what media might become your next obsession?

Now that I am a certified massage therapist, I've taken an even stronger interest in the healing crystals and gemstones that I uses in my jewelry design. I imagine incorporating these crystals more into my paintings, collages and additional sculpting projects in the future.

What would you like your fellow EBSQ artists and our collectors to know about you and/or your work?

Please contact me with any questions. I do have additional pieces and they are for sale. Also, please let me know what you think!