Figures based on an abstract composition. In one of my works, two women are dancing, but knowing that simply depicting movement doesn’t necessarily translate into movement for the viewer. Using visual triangles formed by their bodies, I worked while walking around the sculpture, changing limb positions until I created an optical illusion of imbalance, of falling towards the next dance move. It’s psychological trickery, but when it works, it’s stunning.

From people, and the situations we all find ourselves in, mostly those that everyone has felt at some time. For example, I did a Harlequin, and researched all the legends having something to do with his ambiguity. The Coat of Many Colors, sung by Loretta Lynn, appears very far removed from, and yet, retains many elements of his story. Inspirationwise, it struck me as an image of immigrants, myself included, who dress to fit in, and yet somehow, never do.

I would rent a studio in Naples, Italy, and become the conductor of an orchestra made up of the entire city. I would black out the windows and sneak in and out of the studio wearing sunglasses, knowing secrets in Napoli are what everyone talks about. I would carve a beautifully done statue having created little peepholes in the walls for prying eyes. I’d frequent the same cafe, always with a flake of marble on my sleeve. I’d tell no one what I was doing, assuring that everyone would find out.