"Losing Heart" was a how I felt last summer when I was depressed about the way things were going. Fibromyalgia, menopause and mid-life issues can all lead to feeling like truth, control, belief, desire and hope are illusions.

Having lost my grandmother and my mother to cancer when I was in my early 20's, I have no family role models for a woman's adult life. I have tried to remedy that by being a role model for my two daughters. I have taught them that art can heal, and reveal.

The beauty of the colors in this piece and their careful arrangement are an expression of the spirit that keeps me going through trying times. The deep rich and soft shell pinks are an expression of my feminine side, which was discouraged during my education and art career. So here's to the feminine spirit!

I created this beaded shrine to the swiftness of time with bugle beads, seed beads, rhinestones, Swarovsky crystals, metallic, silver, & brass embellishments. Flowers and feathers accent a velvety-rich pink and gold dichroic glass heart. My work is hand-beaded by gluing each bead, jewel and embellishment one by one onto foam-core using tweezers and toothpicks. I love this kind of meditative labor.