Connect What is your favorite type of art to create?

I create narrative found object assemblage sculptures. I use artifacts and symbolic objects to convert stories about relationships with family, place, love, time, nature, self, and other themes. Reflection on personal narratives in order to understand self and others is a very powerful experience that continues to draw me to my work. As Zora Neale Hurston states, we are each “a jumble of small things priceless and worthless.” We can share our experiences through objects we collect along the way.

Where do you find inspiration?

As I listen to music in my studio and throughout the day, I am often inspired by lyrics in songs, and passages I’ve read, poetry, current events, nature, memories…….so, really, anything. An object at a flea market can make me think of a narrative that I need to explore. A news broadcast may push me to respond with an artwork. The work of other artists inspires me to take risks with ideas and craftsmanship. I am in a collective with younger female artists and their energy inspires me every day.

What would you do with $25,000?

I would like to travel to explore the artwork of other cultures and be inspired by their stories. I would like to take several artist residencies to learn from other artists/craftsmen and explore other construction techniques. I would like to create a collective of assemblage artists to share ideas, skills, experiences, materials and form a supportive community to pursue our goals.