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All my life, I feel as if I have seen the world
through the eyes of an artist. My mother was an accomplished
sculptor; she encouraged my creativity from my earliest age.
From the first moment I played with my mother's sculpting clay,
I knew this was the media that could express all my imagination
could conjure. When I was interviewed by Garden Showcase Magazine,
they explained, "What you see here is myth made reality by the
hand of a sculptor.
The sculptures she creates are rich in form, texture and meaning."
I am fascinated by legends from around the world. Northwest
Native American and those from Japan are a great source of inspiration
for me. I found a wealth of wisdom, humor and imagery in these
varied cultures. "A storyteller is one who creates the atmosphere
in which wisdom reveals itself," says the great storyteller,
Inookitook.
I like that my sculptures have a story to tell. This way, they
transport us to their world. The sin of greed is so poignantly
punished in "The Legend of the Miser of Nisqually." a story
from the Puget Sound in Washington. Legends played such an important
role in our ancestors' lives. Helping our souls," as Ben Okri
points out, "fly upwards toward the greater light."
In the creation of my sculptures, I battle constantly with and
surrender to the unique qualities of clay. In my conversation
with the clay, it's important to me the clay is allowed to speak.
During the firing process, often at 2300 degrees, the clay moves
and shrinks, sometimes cracking, to reveal the layers beneath,
exposing its organic nature.
I see these not as cracks and flaws, but as statements of the
true nature of the material and of the tortuous process of firing
the sculpture must survive. As DeKooning tells us, "Tracks of
the work should be left visible."
I love to research the culture. With this knowledge in mind,
I approach the figure. I balance the need to portray the culture
of the legend accurately and still allow the spirit to emerge
as the strongest element.
Please join me in listening to these ancient legends as told
by "Coyote and the Monster of the Columbia River", Inari the
Fox Goddess of Japan and "Blodeuwedd, the Goddess of the Celts,"
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water street, port townsend, washington 98368 | telephone (360) 385-3630