I like to create things, all kinds of things. I always have. Early on, I decided that if I was going to pursue this passion, I should be disciplined and skilled. I earned a B.F.A. in Studio Arts from Syracuse University School of Visual and Performing Arts. There, I really began to love and appreciate, art and the inspirational camaraderie of other artists. I enjoyed the physical nature of sculpture. I learned to manipulate materials; changing solid bronze to molten metal, and back to solid bronze in the form of my choice. I learned to make molds and weld repairs. I was also taught how to cut, carve and finish wood. After completing my B.F.A. I did not feel that I was ready to start my own studio. I worked for a year at Tallix Art Foundry, then in Peekskill, New York. This was an invaluable experience for many reasons. I participated in all parts of the casting and finishing processes, met and befriended many working artists, who helped to fuel my desire to be a producing sculptor. It was a hard decision, but I gave up my full time job at Tallix to get my masters degree in sculpture from the Rhode Island School of Design. At RISD, I taught a foundry class to undergrads, as well as taking required and elective classes of my choice. I polished my creative skills and met many great people, including my future husband. I took furniture making and carving classes with some of the finest woodworkers in the country. I dabbled in glassblowing and puppet making, and allowed my creative freedom to explore. Then, I felt ready to move forward.
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After another year working at the Tallix Art Foundry, I set up my studio on the Connecticut shoreline. It was a little hard getting started, but I soon had many productive years. I experimented with different media, attempting to find what best suited my artistic expression. Most of my work, during this time, was cast bronze combined with fine wood. I spent a great deal of time at Tallix working on my own castings rather than those of others, which was refreshing. I was finally able to put what I had learned from such talent into my own creative form.
When my two girls came along, it was a bit hard to find time to express myself through art. I thought I would be able to work with them in the studio with me, but no, these girls turned out to be the most amazing, and annoying at times, distraction. Day care was helpful, as was preschool, and an Au Pair. I spent a lot of time sanding pieces while watching soccer practices. I made it work, though. I was able to spend time with my girls, and still have time to myself in the studio and gained invaluable professional fulfillment. I was included in juried shows all over the country, won several awards for my sculpture, and I was invited to participate in many invitational exhibitions. As an artist, these were very proud and humbling moments. I’ve had one and two person exhibitions. My work has sold well in galleries in Connecticut and New York City, and is included in several private and corporate collections. When my children left the nest to start their own lives - one to my alma mater Syracuse, and the other to The University of Connecticut, my husband and I decided it was time for change. We moved to Amherst, Massachusetts. It took a year, but we built a fabulous studio and wood shop. During that year without a sculpture studio, I did some community artwork, taught myself Creative Suite and Photoshop, and worked on refining my painting and collage skills. Now, I’ve gotten back to casting and carving, metal smithing and experimenting. Life and art continue to challenge, inspire, and encourage my creative evolution. |