Using bold gestures, layers of texture and a passion for color, my abstract mixed media work explores the nature of the mind, the patterns that drive us, and the pull toward wholeness. I am a student of the philosophies and wisdom of the ancient East and I am drawn to art that maps that internal world.
According to many ancient spiritual teachings as well as modern science, colors are essentially frequencies that can positively impact emotion and states of being. In the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, asymmetry and imperfection are viewed as beautiful. My creative approach draws on these world views, allowing colors, organic shapes and lines to emerge naturally, mapping the movement between our inner and outer landscapes.
In addition to creating abstract works, I have been developing a Message in a Bottle mixed media series inspired by the discovery of a box of wartime correspondence written by my immigrant-soldier grandfather while serving in the US Army during World War I. The Message in a Bottle series expresses both personal and universal themes that pulse through these letters. Collections have addressed themes such as the ache of longing and connection, as well as the irony of immigrants who escaped persecution only to fight for their newly adopted countries.
Wear-able Art
Art meets fashion in my original designs. What we wear can be one of the most vital art forms of daily soulful expression. Clothes can convey our creative spirit, reflect our mood, enhance our groove, or declare our philosophy of living.
After a lifetime love of style, I turned to painting to infuse my creativity into this daily adventure. Passionate about color, fabrics, and clothing as a means of self-expression, I create my own textiles by playfully exploring color combinations, textural qualities and movement. I then layer the colors, fabric designs and sensuous textures with unexpected elements such as grommets, leather or a hood to express something fresh yet understated. I let the colors lead the way, guided by an eye for modern style, beauty and sophistication.
My influences, are well, everywhere. I look to many cultures and tribes for their rich color palettes and glorious textiles. I admire the women on the streets of Paris and Milan who transform a simple outfit with a single stroke of fabric, dramatic color or unexpected design. And I also love the painterly light, natural forms and lifestyle of the West Coast. Here, silk and jeans are a modern expression of elegance with ease — where something can be beautiful to look at but also easy to live in.
Creating clothing is joyful – from the first brushstroke to unexpected pieces that give each woman her own paintbrush for sharing her vibrancy and style with the world.
