|
|
Artist Statement
The egg has long been a symbol of life, mystery, and
the beginning of the universe. For me, it represents the fragile, yet powerful and unique, presence of nature in a mass-produced
and technology driven world.
The curved surface of an egg or ball is comfortable and appealing to me and I
like working in wood. I place requirements on the wood when creating a design, and the wood has characteristics that
place requirements on me. As the work progresses, the wood and I adapt to each other.
The art is in the progression as well as the original vision. I may wake
up with an idea, but time and work pass before completion. There is a lot of give and take between the wood and myself
and I learn every step of the way, what works and what doesn't.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Biography
After taking art classes in college, I continued art training during my career
as I traveled within the United States installing and training on computerized health information systems. I trained
as a silversmith and calligrapher and learned techniques in stained glass, jewelry, pottery and painting.
When I returned to my native Illinois, I sought an outlet for this accumulated
knowledge. I began carving and painting the eggs of my own geese, ducks, guineas and chickens and traded for eggshells
of ostrich and emu. A variety of my other animals, such as the horses, and flowers from my garden, became subjects
for my carvings.
My sister and I joined a local woodcarving club (Kickapoo Karvers, Danville, IL) and
I found a special affinity for designing and adapting techniques of traditional chip-carving to the demands of the egg shape
in wood. I later incorporated relief carving into my work. I still concentrate on the egg shape, but have expanded
onto other shapes such as wooden globes and boxes. Occasionally, I work outside the egg shape, carving figures of animals
and people.
|
|
|
