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Artist Biography - Statement
BFA, 1989, The Cleveland Institute of Art
Major: Drawing
Minors: Printmaking / Glass
I was first introduced to enameling in 1988 while a student at CIA. I didn't even know what enamel was until I was a fourth-year student at the Institute (and 21 years old,) when a friend showed me pieces she had made. I took enameling as an elective class the next semester, and as an Independant Study the following year. Along with prints, drawings and works in glass, I incorporated enamel into multi-media pieces for my 5th-year thesis show.
In the early days, I taught myself to fabricate settings for enamel pieces from copper. I started working in sterling and, soon after, I started working in gold. I researched and experimented for many years to refine my skills. I am basically self-taught in many of my enameling techniques and in my metal work. I have been a self-employed enamelist since 1992, focusing and specializing in cloisonne. The inspiration for my work comes from various interests: the images and designs of ancient civilizations such as Egyptian, Mayan and Celtic; nature and natural forms such as insects, birds and plants; and my most recent body of work explores the contrast / compliment of color and the use of repetitious geometric patterns and lines.
Photos and 1-page article, "Drawn Together"
"Glass on Metal" magazine, August 1999 issue
Cover photo and group article, "Swimming in Color"
"Lapidary Journal" Magazine, May 2005 issue
www.jewelryartistmagazine.com/archive/may05toc.cfm
NICHE Award / Metal - Enamel category
Philadelphia Buyers Market of American Craft, February 2007
www.americancraft.com/NICHE_Awards/NICHE_awards_W_07.html#
professionals
Commissioned to design and produce reproductions of an enamel pendant by African-American painter,
Aaron Douglas, for the Spencer Museum of Art's gift shop in Lawrence KS,
September 2007
