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I never met my grandfather, but he was a tailor and I am the only one of later generations to work with my hands and fabrics. By placing his letters written as a young soldier during WW1 “in conversation” with my fabrics (fabric remnants, threads or fabrics/materials I've found or used) on this intimate scale, I hope to capture something about the connection of hands, hearts and DNA.  We all are in conversation with our past and have lineage stories that run through our lives, whether we are actively conscious of it or not. Creating this has also generated the question of whether this is a way to “heal backwards in time?” Mixed media 10" x 10"   $295

I never met my grandfather, but he was a tailor and I am the only one of later generations to work with my hands and fabrics. By placing his letters written as a young soldier during WW1 “in conversation” with my fabrics (fabric remnants, threads or fabrics/materials I've found or used) on this intimate scale, I hope to capture something about the connection of hands, hearts and DNA.  Like a "hand lineage". We all are in conversation with our past and have lineage stories that run through our lives, whether we are actively conscious of it or not. So creating this series has generated the question of whether this is a way to “heal backwards in time?” Mixed media 10" x 10"   $295

I never met my grandfather, but he was a tailor and I am the only one of later generations to work with my hands and fabrics. By placing his letters written as a young soldier during WW1 “in conversation” with my fabrics (fabric remnants, threads or fabrics/materials I've found or used) on this intimate scale, I hope to capture something about the connection of hands, hearts and DNA.  We all are in conversation with our past and have lineage stories that run through our lives, whether we are actively conscious of it or not. Creating this has also generated the question of whether this is a way to “heal backwards in time?” Mixed media 11" x 11" framed (can remove frame - $295) $350  

12" x 12" Mixed Media on Panel (acrylic, Japanese rice paper, WW1 letters, graphite)   $350

18" x 24" Mixed media on panel This piece is part of my "Message in a Bottle" series, inspired by a box of 100 letters I discovered that were written by my grandfather when he was a soldier in WW1. All the artwork in this series bring forth the feelings, passions and ideas he wrote about, or are derived from the materiality of the stationery, handwriting, ink, stains, etc. "With the Colors 2" refers to how immigrants, like my grandfather, in spite of enduring their own national and social traumas, felt honored to be soldiers in the American army. Born in what is now Belarus, A. C. Brook escaped the pogroms (massacres and persecution of the Jews) of the late 1800's, landed penniless in Detroit, Michigan in the early 1900’s, learned English, became a tailor, and signed up with honor to fight for his new country.  The phrase “with the colors”, which was printed onto the bottom of the US Expeditionary Forces stationary, is a solemn and heartfelt term for the American flag, used especially to honor those who have died for the greater cause. $725  

I never met my grandfather, but he was a tailor and I am the only one of later generations to work with my hands and fabrics. By placing fragments of letters he wrote as a young soldier during WW1 “in conversation” with my own fabrics (fabric remnants, threads or fabrics/materials used) on this intimate scale, I hope to capture something about the connection of hands, hearts and DNA.  Yes, a hand lineage. We all have lineage stories that run through our lives, whether we are awake to it or not, so creating this series has also generated the question of whether this is a way to “heal backwards in time?” Mixed media 11" x 11" framed (blonde frame) $350

I never met my grandfather, but "re-"realized he was a tailor and I am the only one of later generations to work with my hands and fabrics. By placing his letters written as a young soldier during WW1 “in conversation” with my fabrics (fabric remnants, threads or fabrics/materials I've found or used) on this intimate scale, I hope to capture something about the connection of hands, hearts and DNA.  We all have lineage stories that run through our lives, whether we are awake to it or not. Creating this has also generated the question of whether this is a way to “heal backwards in time?” Mixed media 11" x 11" framed   $350

I never met my grandfather, but "re-"realized he was a tailor and I am the only one of later generations to work with my hands and fabrics. By placing his letters written as a young soldier during WW1 “in conversation” with my fabrics (fabric remnants, threads or fabrics/materials I've found or used) on this intimate scale, I hope to capture something about the connection of hands, hearts and DNA.  We all have lineage stories that run through our lives, whether we are awake to it or not. Creating this has also generated the question of whether this is a way to “heal backwards in time?” Mixed media 10" X 10"   $275

I never met my grandfather, but he was a tailor and I am the only one of later generations to work with my hands and fabrics. By placing fragments of letters he wrote as a young soldier during WW1 “in conversation” with my own fabrics (fabric remnants, threads or fabrics/materials used) on this intimate scale, I hope to capture something about the connection of hands, hearts and DNA.  We all have lineage stories that run through our lives, whether we are awake to it or not. Creating this has also generated the question of whether this is a way to “heal backwards in time?” Mixed media 10" x 10"   $275

I never met my grandfather, but "re-"realized he was a tailor and I am the only one of later generations to work with my hands and fabrics. By placing his letters “in conversation” with my fabrics (fabric remnants, threads or fabrics/materials I've found or used) on this intimate scale, I hope to capture something about the connection of hands, hearts and DNA between us.  We all have lineage stories that run through our lives, whether we are awake to it or not. Creating this has also generated the question of whether this is a way to “heal backwards in time?” Mixed media 11" x 11" framed   $330 framed

The Threads of Connection series was inspired by a trove of letters written by my grandfather to my grandmother when he was a young soldier in WW1. I never met my grandfather, but "re-"realized he was a tailor and I am the only one of later generations to work with my hands and fabrics. By placing his letters “in conversation” with my fabrics (fabric remnants, threads or fabrics/materials I've found or used) on this intimate scale, I hope to capture something about the connection of hands, hearts and DNA between us.  We all have lineage stories that run through our lives, whether we are awake to it or not. This exercise has also generated the question of whether this is a way to “heal backwards in time?” Mixed media 10" x 10"   $275

The Threads of Connection series was inspired by a trove of letters written by my grandfather to my grandmother when he was a young soldier in WW1. I never met my grandfather, but was astonished when I "re-"realized he was a tailor and I am the only one of later generations to work with my hands and fabrics. By placing his letters “in conversation” with my fabrics (fabric remnants, threads or fabrics/materials I've found or used) on these intimate panels, I hope to capture something about the connection of hands, hearts and DNA between us.  We all have lineage stories, and it has also generated the question of whether this is a way to “heal backwards in time?” Mixed media 10" x 10"   $275

Part of the Message in a Bottle series, which explores the themes of connection, isolation and healing as inspired by 100 letters written in 1918-1919 by a grandfather I never met. (see below) 13" x 13" framed Mixed media on wood panel, incorporating acrylic, graphite, and fragments of letters in which my grandfather repeatedly implored his wife - my grandmother - to write more.  War is a misery shattered into a million pieces -- that's the truth that radiates out from these letters. I was particularly struck by the poetry and vulnerability of this line, "a letter from you would take out of me the blue." A soldier's hunger for connection was poignant. It's also a reminder that the sense of isolation and absence of connection can befalls us at any time, such as during a pandemic or under the stresses of everyday life. $395 with frame.

Part of the Message in a Bottle series, which explores the themes of connection, isolation and healing as inspired by 100 letters written in 1918-1919 by a grandfather I never met. (see below) 20" x 20" Mixed media on wood panel, incorporating acrylic, graphite, and fragments of letters in which my grandfather repeatedly implored his wife - my grandmother - to write more.  War is a misery shattered into a million pieces -- that's the truth that radiates out from these letters. I was particularly struck by the poetry and vulnerability of this line, "a letter from you would take out of me the blue." A soldier's hunger for connection is poignant. It's also a reminder that the sense of isolation and absence of connection can befalls us at any time, such as during a pandemic or under the stresses of everyday life. I try to convey the blue as well as the sunny joy of possibilities for reconnection or redemption. $695

Part of the Message in a Bottle series, which explores the themes of connection, isolation and healing as inspired by 100 letters written in 1918-1919 by a grandfather I never met. (see below) 20" x 20" Mixed media on wood panel, incorporating acrylic, graphite, and fragments of letters in which my grandfather repeatedly implored his wife - my grandmother - to write more.  War is a misery shattered into a million pieces -- that's the truth that radiates out from these letters. I was particularly struck by the poetry and vulnerability of this line, "a letter from you would take out of me the blue." A soldier's hunger for connection was poignant. It's also a reminder that the sense of isolation and absence of connection can befalls us at any time, such as during a pandemic or under the stresses of everyday life. I try to convey the blue as well as the sunny joy of possibilities for reconnection or redemption. $695

Part of the Message in a Bottle series, which explores the themes of connection, isolation and healing as inspired by 100 letters written in 1918-1919 by my grandfather to his wife during WWI . Mixed media on wood panel, incorporating acrylic, graphite, and letters and words from these letters. This series was inspired by a line from a letter penned in September 1918, when my grandfather suggested that my grandmother counteract her lonesomeness and worry by thinking only of the day they would be together again.  To imagine being in eachother's arms and filling her heart with joy. It was, he said, the "best remedy" and how he had been coping. I was struck by his strength of mind. We all have this remedy available to us to contend with our most difficult challenges. 20" x 20" $695

Part of the Message in a Bottle series, which explores the themes of connection, isolation and healing as inspired by 100 letters written in 1918-1919 by a grandfather I never met. (see below) 20" x 20" Mixed media on wood panel, incorporating acrylic, graphite, and fragments of letters in which my grandfather repeatedly implored his wife - my grandmother - to write more.  War is a misery shattered into a million pieces -- that's the truth that radiates out from these letters. I was particularly struck by the poetry and vulnerability of this line, "a letter from you would take out of me the blue." A soldier's hunger for connection was poignant. It's also a reminder that the sense of isolation and absence of connection can befalls us at any time, such as during a pandemic or under the stresses of everyday life. I try to convey the blue as well as the sunny joy of possibilities for reconnection or redemption. $695

Part of the Message in a Bottle series, which explores the themes of connection, isolation and healing as inspired by 100 letters written in 1918-1919 by a grandfather I never met. (see below) 20" x 20" Mixed media on wood panel, incorporating acrylic, graphite, and letters and words from a grandfather written to his wife (my grandmother)   during WWI.  In letter after letter, he implored her to write more. And then I stumbled across this line, "your letter would take out of me the blue." I was struck by the poetry and vulnerability of this line. As a soldier, his hunger for connection was poignant, but also a reminder that the sense of isolation and absence of connection can befalls us at any time, such as during a pandemic or under the stresses of everyday life. I try to convey the blue of longing as well as the sunny joy derived from dreaming of the possibilities for reconnection or redemption. $695    

Part of the Message in a Bottle series. 30" x 30" Mixed media on wood panel, incorporating acrylic, graphite, and parts of letters written by a young solder to his wife during WWI.  The man was my grandfather (whom I never met). In most letters, he implored my grandmother to write more. This sub-series was inspired by a phrase in one of these letters. The hunger for connection is universal, whether as a soldier in war, during a global pandemic or simply, under the stresses of everyday life. In the work, I try to convey the blue of our longing as well as the sunny joy of possibilities for re-connection and renewal. $1195

Part of the Message in a Bottle series. 30" x 30" Mixed media on wood panel, incorporating acrylic, graphite, and parts of letters written by a young solder to his wife during WWI.  The man was my grandfather (whom I never met). In most letters, he implored my grandmother to write more. This sub-series was inspired by a phrase in one of these letters. The hunger for connection is universal, whether as a soldier in war, during a global pandemic or simply, under the stresses of everyday life. In the work, I try to convey the blue of our longing as well as the sunny joy of possibilities for re-connection and renewal. $1100

Part of the Message in a Bottle series. 30" x 30" Mixed media on wood panel, incorporating acrylic, graphite, and parts of letters written by a young solder to his wife during WWI.  The man was my grandfather (whom I never met). In most letters, he implored my grandmother to write more. This sub-series was inspired by a phrase in one of these letters. The hunger for connection is universal, whether as a soldier in war, during a global pandemic or simply, under the stresses of everyday life. In the work, I try to convey the blue of our longing as well as the sunny joy of possibilities for re-connection and renewal. $1100

Part of the Message in a Bottle series 24" x 24" Mixed media on wood panel, incorporating acrylic, graphite, and parts of letters written by a young solder to his wife during WWI.  The man was my grandfather (whom I never met). In most letters, he implored my grandmother to write more. This sub-series was inspired by a phrase in one of these letters. The hunger for connection is universal, whether as a soldier in war, during a global pandemic or simply, under the stresses of everyday life. In the work, I try to convey the blue of our longing as well as the sunny joy of possibilities for re-connection and renewal. $850

Part of the Message in a Bottle series 24" x 24" Mixed media on wood panel, incorporating acrylic, graphite, and parts of letters written by a young solder to his wife during WWI.  The man was my grandfather (whom I never met). In most letters, he implored my grandmother to write more. This sub-series was inspired by a phrase in one of these letters. The hunger for connection is universal, whether as a soldier in war, during a global pandemic or simply, under the stresses of everyday life. In the work, I try to convey the blue of our longing as well as the sunny joy of possibilities for re-connection and renewal. $850

Part of the Message in a Bottle series 24" x 24" Mixed media on wood panel, incorporating acrylic, graphite, and parts of letters written by a young solder to his wife during WWI.  The man was my grandfather (whom I never met). In most letters, he implored my grandmother to write more. This sub-series was inspired by a phrase in one of these letters. The hunger for connection is universal, whether as a soldier in war, during a global pandemic or simply, under the stresses of everyday life. In the work, I try to convey the blue of our longing as well as the sunny joy of possibilities for re-connection and renewal. $850

Part of the Message in a Bottle series 24" x 24" Mixed media on wood panel, incorporating acrylic, graphite, and parts of letters written by a young solder to his wife during WWI.  The man was my grandfather (whom I never met). In most letters, he implored my grandmother to write more. This sub-series was inspired by a phrase in one of these letters. The hunger for connection is universal, whether as a soldier in war, during a global pandemic or simply, under the stresses of everyday life. In the work, I try to convey the blue of our longing as well as the sunny joy of possibilities for re-connection and renewal. $850

Part of the Message in a Bottle series 20" x 20" Mixed media on wood panel, incorporating acrylic, graphite, and parts of letters written by a young solder to his wife during WWI.  The man was my grandfather (whom I never met). In most letters, he implored my grandmother to write more to take the blue out of him. The hunger for connection is universal, whether as a soldier in war, during a global pandemic or simply, under the stresses of everyday life. In the work, I try to convey the blue of our longing as well as the sunny joy from the possibilities for re-connection and renewal. $695

Part of the Message in a Bottle series 20" x 20" Mixed media on wood panel, incorporating acrylic, graphite, and parts of letters written by a young solder to his wife during WWI.  The man was my grandfather (whom I never met). In most letters, he implored my grandmother to write more. This sub-series was inspired by a phrase in one of these letters. The hunger for connection is universal, whether as a soldier in war, during a global pandemic or simply, under the stresses of everyday life. In the work, I try to convey the blue of our longing as well as the sunny joy of possibilities for re-connection and renewal.   $695

Part of the Message in a Bottle series Mixed media on wood panel, incorporating acrylic, graphite, and parts of letters written by a young solder to his wife during WWI.  The man was my grandfather (whom I never met). In most letters, he implored my grandmother to write more. This sub-series was inspired by a phrase in one of these letters. The hunger for connection is universal, whether as a soldier in war, during a global pandemic or simply, under the stresses of everyday life. In the work, I try to convey the blue of our longing as well as the sunny joy of possibilities for re-connection and renewal. 24" x 24" mixed media on wood panel $850

Part of the Message in a Bottle series 16" x 16" Mixed media on wood panel, incorporating acrylic, graphite, and parts of letters written by a young solder to his wife during WWI.  The man was my grandfather (whom I never met). In most letters, he implored my grandmother to write more. This sub-series was inspired by a phrase in one of these letters. The hunger for connection is universal, whether as a soldier in war, during a global pandemic or simply, under the stresses of everyday life. In the work, I try to convey the blue of our longing as well as the sunny joy of possibilities for re-connection and renewal. $495

Part of the Message in a Bottle series 16" x 16" Mixed media on wood panel, incorporating acrylic, graphite, and parts of letters written by a young solder to his wife during WWI.  The man was my grandfather (whom I never met). In most letters, he implored my grandmother to write more. This sub-series was inspired by a phrase in one of these letters. The hunger for connection is universal, whether as a soldier in war, during a global pandemic or simply, under the stresses of everyday life. In the work, I try to convey the blue of our longing as well as the sunny joy of possibilities for re-connection and renewal. $495

When life is good, joy rises. When joy rises, life can be good. I wanted to express the spirit of joy using the Message in a Bottle metaphor.   13" x 13" (framed)   $425

This mixed media painting is part of my Message in a Bottle series, which explores how connections across time, generations and memories converge in a new moment. The piece incorporates fragments of letters, postcards, photos, tissue paper, paper and fabric (as well as acrylic and graphite).   12" x 12" wood cradled panel $350

Part of the Message in a Bottle series, honoring RBG, the vessel that brought so much light to women around the world. 16" x 16" Mixed media on wood panel, incorporating acrylic, graphite, and paper. A photo of an RBG iconic collar is included - alluding more broadly to the fact that she helped usher in a new chapter for women - so they could end their role as accessories.  As a fashion designer who makes accessories for the neck, the idea that women can embody beauty and femininity and essentialism all at once resonates strongly with me.   $495

This exploration into the connections across families, time, generations or memories is part of my Message in a Bottle series. Layers of fragments of postcards, photographs, letters as well as paper, tissue paper, graphite and acrylic create a new moment for all the connections to converge in a new way.   16" x 16" Mixed Media on Cradled Wood Panel.   SOLD