biography
As the middle of three daughters growing up in New England, I inherited the right brain skills of my mother and grandmother. While my sisters were playing outside, I was knotting macrame and making yarn dolls. As I pursued an MBA and a 30-year career in finance, sewing with colorful fabrics or testing a new chocolate cake recipe provided a welcomed diversion.
Although I played with polymer clay with my young children, it was not until 1994, after participating in a workshop at a local arts center, that I discovered my niche. What started as an avocation became my occupation over time. I am fortunate to be able to pursue my art full-time in Philadelphia.
I live in center city Philadelphia with my husband. I am a member of the Philadelphia Area Polymer Clay Guild and the International Polymer Clay Association and am grateful to its members for their invaluable support, encouragement and generosity in sharing their accumulated knowledge.
artist statement
I have always been drawn to small vessels, particularly those with colorful, intricate designs: a ceramic bowl from Turkey, a mother-of-pearl box. Often used to hold treasures, the container always intrigues me more than its contents.
My passion is to create colorful vessels. Inspiration may derive from a traditional Japanese Imari porcelain, a print by Miró or recent travels to Cuba. In these pieces and places, I see colors and patterns, translating them into vessels of varied sizes and shapes. My interpretations are subtle but provide the basis for my designs, color palettes and use of positive and negative space.
Hand mixed colors of polymer are layered, creating patterns which run through the entire length of the “cane.” Slices of contrasting colors, patterns, and complexity are juxtaposed around a form and cured in an oven. Each vessel reflects the shape of the form but remains unique in its presentation.
The results excite me; I am gratified to share them with others.
