How long have you been creating?

Like a lot of other artists, I’ve been creating most of my life. I was probably first recognized for my art work in 6th grade when I was one of a handful of students selected to go on a weekend art retreat to Sleepy Hollow, NY. I let art go after starting high school so that I could fit all my required college prep classes into my schedule. Ironically, during my first year in college, I was required to take an art class as part of the school’s core requirements and it re-awakened my love for art. I switched from majoring in business to art not long after that.

What is your media of choice?

My concentration in college was painting and ceramics. Now, I like to tell people that I have artistic ADHD because I switch easily between mediums. I once had someone tell me that I should buckle down and choose one medium and specialize. When I tried to take their advice I was miserable. I took a break from throwing pots last July when I decided to explore working with fabric, paint and thread. Recently, I have had the urge to get my hands muddy again and would like to combine all my interests into my art work. Why not?

What are your motivations for creating?

It’s very simple, it makes me happy. I don’t have an intellectual agenda; rather I am drawn to colors, the texture of the material and the process of creating art work. I listen to music when I work and love when I am synchronized with the piece I am making. It’s almost like a spiritual connection with the creative universe.

I’m also practical and get a mental boost when other people like my work well enough to buy it.

What other artists or movements inform your work?

I love art history! It would be difficult to name just a few artists or movements. When working with clay, it’s a little difficult to re-invent the wheel, pun intended. There are only so many forms out there. I look to classic Asian pots or even ones from Native America. Here in Denver, the Denver Art Museum has terrific Native American and Asian exhibits. The work is amazing and if the work were made today, the pots would be recognized for being innovative. Contemporary ceramic artists are doing a good job at pushing the medium beyond function.

I also have a fondness for other traditional craft mediums, such as quilting. This year, I discovered the work of the Gee’s Bend Quilting Collective out of Alabama. These ladies have been making utilitarian quilts from recycled clothing since the late 1800’s. The Gee's Bend Quilters, who are self taught, produce work that is inspirational and a joy to view. I also appreciate the art quilts of Miriam Shapiro and Faith Ringgold who have pushed the medium into the fine art realm and social commentary.

What do you find visually stimulating right now?

I see inspiration everywhere I turn. I see patterns, texture and color where upon first glance it might not be apparent; and there is probably no better inspiration than what is produced by Mother Nature! I finished a fabric post-card of Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss a few weeks ago and was mesmerized by his technique of painting pattern and texture to define the figures. I have been thinking about my discovery ever since and hope to have a series of work based on this in the near future.

What’s the last book you read?

I read all the time and nothing escapes my attention from art periodicals to the newspaper to the back of a cereal box. It all gets filed away. Reading a whole book is a luxury, however. The last book that I read cover to cover was Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. Portrait in Sepia by Isabel Allende is currently sitting on my night stand.

Any artistic goals for 2007?

Last January, my goal for the year was to become a self supporting full time artist with an online presence. It has been a steep learning curve for me in terms of the art of marketing, web design, blogging, and joining social networking sites, etc. in order to get my work in front of people. I am just now starting to reap some of the rewards of my work from last year. Some of my work will be featured in the winter issue of ACEO Magazine, I am getting queries about my work and of course being featured on EBSQ for January is a huge honor! I made a lot of progress in 2006 and I am incredibly optimistic about 2007 and my art. I hope to continue learning about art marketing, enter more juried shows, submit my work to brick and mortar galleries, continue online sales of my work, start offering pottery classes in my studio, and begin a new series of work combining clay, fabric, paint and thread.

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

My work is constantly in a state of evolution. As I learn something new about myself or a technique, expect to see it reflected in the work that I create. I have a deep appreciation for my fellow artists, from whom I have learned a lot, and for the people who have purchased my work. I receive a great amount of satisfaction from what I do and I hope it shows.