There is some merit in allowing your work to evolve and develop naturally, organically, free from the bonds of unnecessary restrictions we place on ourselves. I enjoy using found and/or natural materials to create thoughtful artwork that showcases my technical precision merging with spontaneous creation. I am also interested in how, through the process of art making, I allow myself to find and define myself.

My current body of work is a reflection of the different stages of HAE in correlation with the 5 stages of grief and loss which are: 1. Denial and isolation; 2. Anger; 3. Bargaining; 4. Depression; 5. Acceptance. It is a daily struggle one must stand up strong too. Many beautiful souls come from tumultuous times or tragedy in their lives.

My work is not only a reflection of different stages of HAE but also what is occurring in my life at any given moment whether it be joy, grief or resolving deep seated issues. I wish to combine my own very personal medical history with the concept of attraction versus repulsion. My own medical history is wrought with pain, misery, setbacks, guilt resentment, and depression. I wish to transmute that which is repulsive into something beautiful within my work. This is a parallel to how I deal with condition. I must stand up strong despite this disease. I cannot allow it to ruin and rule my life. I must transform something “bad” into something “good” or I am defeated. I wish to transform the materials into something beautiful, a reminder which is suggestive of acceptance and hope. It is a reminder that I do not need to struggle alone. Only when I can share my uncomfortable pain, will I receive acceptance, and relief from the inner pain. My work is very cathartic because my history is not something I would normally be loquacious about but I am trying to grow beyond my comfort zone by fully accepting my condition. This must happen first so I am better able to cope with all of the complicated emotions that come with it.

I see my work developing similar to the process of the painter Karl Martens, except I will further explore and master a variety of processes especially in regards to metalsmithing. I enjoy the challenge and the freedom of exploring and discovering ways to manipulate different metals. My future work will incorporate topics that are of current interest to me as they reflect where I am in my life in the future. It will reflect the stages of change having moved past the stages of grief.