THOUGHTS + PROCESS

I AM PASSIONATE about the way the unexpected scale of these paintings­—monumental images of something so small and plain—changes the viewer’s relationship to the subject. It’s partially about revealing unseen details, but at this scale it is difficult not to be mesmerized by the movement intrinsic in their construction. I want them to be captivating. The creation of this effect and the development of luminosity through layered glazes are both a project of working my way around the circular piece. As I work each nest, I picture the bird building it: moving around and around concentrically. There is a kinship and a beauty in this emotional connection to the process of building and application.

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In a sense, I experience this as a working prayer, and a meditation. I often make these nests for someone specific, and through prayer and creation, they end up woven into the piece. I enjoy both the outward reach—the way viewers see their individual journey, emotional growth, or transformation reflected back—and the inward, in the sense that this process is also for my understanding, my relationships, and my spirit. 

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For me, my artwork is offering: to God and to individuals, as a point of connection.
It is always moving in the direction of personal growth.