Artist Statement
As a collage artist, I’m a collector of ‘stuff’—papers and textiles, jewels and metals, old maps, and texts in any language I can find. I’m always looking for new ways to use materials, which I think keeps my art diverse and fresh. To me, art is play; my baubles and papers and paints are my toys.
I often draw on my love of nature, mostly as an extension of or companion to human nature. Integrating pieces of the earth like twigs and leaves into my art feels similar to how I use nature metaphors in my poetry, as symbols for the man-made elements of life that draw on our natural instincts. I love exploring both new and old materials, trying out new ideas to create something I’ve never made before.
My work in this issue of String Poet is representative of my core interest — integrating various elements that, in their entirety, tell a story or evoke an emotional reaction from the viewer — whether it be delight, contemplation, or even the urge to stand up and dance!
I find that my life as a poet feeds my artistic explorations, and vice versa. Both art and poetry require a paring down of distracting elements to discover the core of what you want your art to say. I feel that, whether you’re a painter or a poet — or just a lover of life — even though this world is imperfect, art and beauty can be found everywhere. Like collage, it’s often from a variety of sources coming together to make an even better whole.