FINE TUNING

During my studies; I became fascinated with the ideas behind an artists work. More so, than perhaps the work itself. It was those artists that could portray something deeper than just something beautiful & make it intriguing. I began to notice this happening in my own work. Translating my feelings & thoughts from within- exposing my interior & yet still holding on to the idea of something that may not be so warm & fuzzy to become very aesthetically pleasing to the eye, almost beautiful- drawing you in to take a closer look. 

DRAWINg-

I  had thought I knew what drawing was about; but my 1st drawing class in College really opened my eyes to how versatile drawing is, how you could make it your own with the many different techniques & drawing "tools". The Vast Possabilities. 

PRINTMAKING-

As a child I had, had the pleasure of knowing what printmaking was; but my studies in college gave me the opportunity to really understand it better. I became familiar with using a printing press, oil based ink, a full sized brayer, Shino, Resingrave, the correct tools, learning different styles of printmaking & various techniques. I fell in love, the smell of the ink, the patience & persistence of carving, & the feeling of Christmas every time you pull your first final print; as you have been waiting hours for this moment. It is a beautiful old technique that someday I hope to get my hands dirty in again.

MIXED MEDIA-

Mixed Media has always had an appeal to me. I like the different textures together. My 3rd year at school I really began to explore by embroidery on canvas. Sewing photos on fabric that were then sewn onto the canvas. It was much more tedious than just painting for me. It put me in a rhythm. In the end I found it to be more visually interesting & pleasing to the eye. 

I then proceeded to use my obsession with circles to my advantage, going through magazines, cutting out certain colors with certain sizes, to make a Natural like collage painting. The next step was to paint paper with certain colors, hole punch it to then create the animals for the abstract landscape. Once again the repetition of it was rhythmic & very enjoyable for me, though obsessive. 

PHOTOGRAPHY-

My mother went to school for Photography- during my childhood, she stopped using her Commercial Degree. My brother & I became her life, yet also had to endure many, many photoshoots, (I of course cherish those photos now). I grew up never guessing or imagining to like photography or to do it, given I wanted to be anything but like my mother. Nevertheless, it has become of great interest to me, always attempting to bring out the EXTRA from the ORDINARY.  

SMALL METALS-

As a young woman, I believed I was going to grow up to be a jeweler, I adored people getting married & dressing up- Cartier was the goal. I finally took my first small metals class my Freshman year of college. I very much enjoyed it, but the passion was not there as it was in other mediums for me. My First was my Last.