1. Who are you and what do you do?
I create art with a myriad of materials that find their way to my home. I take an item that is no longer needed by one home and with a bit of paint, glue, wrapping, smashing or whatever the creative process requires, it is reborn as a new piece destined for a new home. From hand recycled paper sculptures to wall hangings, or paintings on re-purposed shelves everything that crosses my path is inevitably going to go through a metamorphosis, and emerge as a creation that spreads its wings and begins a new journey. I have also been bitten by the ‘gourd bug’. A natural and sustainable material supplied by mother earth and its stewards. Rattles made from gourds have become a passion as well as wood burning on these vessels. Music is also a passion of mine and as well as collecting instruments for impromptu music circles I make didgeridoos and end blown flutes.
2. How did you get your start?
I’ve always been creative, and loved art class in school growing up. Though I mostly focused on ceramics while in high school and didn’t do much with art after graduating beyond random doodles. I found my art after I suffered a back injury at work. My world came to a screeching halt when it left me barely able to walk for some years. It became a healing tool for me to escape from the boredom of being more home bound and deal with the pain. I realized then that my art was really a passion that I had suppressed and as I created more I began to grow and further heal from the remaining physical limitations. I started going to art walks and craft fairs to get more exposure and meet other artists. I have met some really amazing artists, along with the wonderful people who work behind the scenes to make the art walks and shows happen. A big thanks to all the Arts community builders. I show and sell works at various venues throughout the valley year round and also have works available on Etsy.
3. What inspires you?
I draw a lot of inspiration from nature and Indigenous cultures from all over the world. I have a passion for faeries and the magical little things in life. Their magical musings keep me sketching, painting, and sculpting their fancy faerie ring parties to tucking their sense of fun into everything I create. I’m inspired by helping others, and can always find a creation to donate to a good cause. Other artists who re-purpose things into art really inspire me to keep growing and creating new ways to use forgotten things to bring joy through art and an awareness of our disposable society and how we can all help make a more sustainable future.
4. What do you like about Arizona?
I like how Arizona becomes a melting pot every winter. People from all over coming to enjoy our nice mild winters and bring little bits of their state cultures and take a little bit of ours back with them. Arizona has many fascinating indigenous cultures, past and living that remind of us a world less electronic. As a lover of nature, who can beat living in a state that has a little of each of the environments from all over the world all in one place. It’s really neat to be able to go from low desert to tundra all in one day. The desert is a magical place where one would not imagine it to be bustling with life but if you sit still long enough and listen with all your senses you can see that life abounds in every nook and cranny. Arizona is like the idea in the mind of an artist, it is a seed waiting for the right conditions to reach for the sky…
5. What would you like to accomplish before you die?
I would like to start many many more gardens, and green the path as I walk it encouraging others to step toward a more sustainable future for all on this planet. To inspire people to add creative outlets to their daily lives. To live in a sustainable earth shelter surrounded by edible landscape and be an example of more Eco friendly living.
6. What is your weapon of choice for the inevitable Zombie apocalypse?
I would use a “Directed energy weapon” also known as the death-ray. Then I could take out whole flocks of zombies.
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