I currently live in rural north central Florida; surrounded by nature, a small flock of silkie chickens, three dogs and one cat - an absolutely perfect spot for inspiration. For more than a decade, I have been working with polymer clay.
Why polymer clay?
I studied at The Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and although I have worked in stained glass, acrylics, metals, oils and watercolors, sculpting is my first love. With polymer clay, I realized I had found a medium that would give me the best of all worlds. Polymer is a medium that can be incorporated with so many other materials - canvas, glass, wood and metal, just to name a few. It’s compatible with acrylics, pastels, watercolors and many other mediums. It also doesn’t require a large or expensive kiln, firing temperatures are low and can be easily achieved in a home oven.
In the beginning, I created one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, but soon realized I wanted to make larger works, most of which could be hung on a wall.
Now, in my most recent work, I have begun to incorporate fabrics and textiles. I have been drawn to creating figurative sculptures. Some characters incorporate soft bodies with posable armatures, while others are made entirely of polymer clay. Although some may appear “doll “ like, these figures connect an exploration of the relationship to ageing and the power of the mythical world. Crones, witches, fairies, sprites and all manner of anthropomorphic creatures are scattered across my studio right now.