Artist Statement:As individuals, we are defined by what others see or what they think they see in us. While being aware of this in my art, I choose to look beyond the outer appearances and perceptions and explore the Human Narrative, the stories that we observe/share/express about the human condition and the environment we exist in, what others may only think they see. My pieces often begin with an emotion or a memory and evolve through my exploration of how that journey came to be, where and how it started and how and if it ended. Like a story, my pieces have a beginning but no definitive end, allowing the viewer to read the symbols presented and insert them into their own experiences. Because while the details of our life’s journeys might all seem very different, I feel the root of the them are much the same. I work in clay for its willingness to be transformed while maintaining a delicacy and strength. Clay allows me to express in my narratives a passage of time, making it look old and weathered or shiny and new. I love exploring how it can embody a variety forms and textures. Some of my recent work also incorporates encaustic, a suitable complement to clay in its ability to create a sense of form and texture. Found objects are also incorporated but chosen carefully. I find it important to create a balance, so they do not over-shadow but complement the narratives. Because they are old or worn, they lend a sense of time passing.