Artist's statement

Ceramic Work

My work draws attention to a range of issues, including food-borne pathogens, monoculture, irrigation and water shortages, the development of farmland, and colony collapse disorder in honeybees: a syndrome that has caused massive die-offs of these vital pollinators. Through my work, I hope to generate a deeper contemplation about the sources of our food, its processing, and its impact on the environment and our bodies.

Each new piece begins with multiple sketches of forms and surface images, based on my research and observation of collected images. I work with both dark brown and white stoneware clays to make wheel-thrown vessels and slab-built forms with soft curves and a sense of expanding volume. I use the sgraffito process to create surface imagery by carving through layers of underglaze and slips to reveal the color of the clay beneath. I finish the pieces with contrasting areas of matte and glossy surfaces, and each vessel form is finished with a food-safe glaze.

The process of developing the surface imagery is not quick, and it involves deliberate choices of composition, placement, and scale. At this stage, knowing when to stop and selecting what to leave out of the composition are crucial for me in completing a strong piece. Once a piece is finished, it becomes a new starting point for sketching, thinking, and developing the next piece. The process begins again.

Mixed Media Drawings

In my recent series of mixed-media drawings, I integrate aerial imagery of neighborhoods with biological cellular imagery to create abstracted amorphous worlds where macrocosmic and microcosmic perspectives are viewed simultaneously. The visual parallels between the macro and micro viewpoints are striking, and I merge these images of organic structures with human-made systems to suggest further parallels between the two. I intend for my work to generate contemplation about our relationship with the land and to convey the sense of being vitally linked with nature.

The aerial imagery that I selected is based on areas where I have lived, including rural Pennsylvania and suburban Virginia Beach. This series is partly influenced by southeastern Pennsylvania, where I grew up, and noticing farmland diminishing there as development increases. However, I hope for my work to be open to multiple possible interpretations; the surface of the land being a living organism or organ, like a “skin,” the growth of our population expanding like a living organism- a playful visual exploration of forms, or a cautious warning of overdevelopment.

I create the pieces by building numerous layers of washes of acrylic paint, transfer prints, and a range of marks with ink pens. I enjoy the process of gradually developing the images, adding intricate detail, and adjusting the colors to finish the piece. Within each piece, I utilize an analogous color scheme to create visual unity and to further reinforce the concept of disparate elements being connected.