Artist STATEMENT
Whether transforming the simple into the complex, the mundane into the beautiful or the ordinary into the extraordinary, the joyful experience of creating each piece is my motivation.
Thrift store finds, yard sale treasures and discards from friends are incorporated into many of my designs. Most of my pieces feature unexpected materials used in unusual ways.
For me, a meditative approach is a huge part of the creation process. My goal is to inspire those who see my work to take a breath, relax and look more carefully at the world around them.
Artist biography
I enjoy working in all kinds of media and on any given day you can find me in the studio creating. I am best known for my work as a metalsmith and jewelry artist. My jewelry designs and tutorials have been featured in over 50 publications by Lark Crafts, Art Jewelry Magazine, Metalsmith, Lapidary Journal/Jewelry Artist, Rock and Gem, Art Doll Quarterly, The Crafts Report and Creative Home Arts. One of my jewelry designs landed on the cover of Art Jewelry Magazine and two were cover photos for Lapidary Journal / Jewelry Artist. My artwork has been displayed in over 100 shows including solo exhibitions, juried regional and national exhibits, faculty exhibits, invitational group exhibitions, and galleries.
I graduated from Watertown, South Dakota high school in 1970, got married and moved away. My income for the next 20 years was derived from employment in sales and marketing. During the 80’s I attended college part time (after work and on weekends). By 1995 I had earned a BS in economics as well as BFA and MFA degrees in metalsmithing and jewelry making from Kansas State University. Following college graduation, I served as an art director, an academic advisor and taught studio courses at the college level. During that time, I was also making jewelry at every opportunity. From 2003 to the present, I have worked as an artist, designer and freelance writer full time.
In 2012, my interests expanded to other ways of expression. I have played with a wide variety of materials and have enjoyed many successful results and some, not so much. Currently, in addition to making jewelry, my interests are focused on art for meditation and grounding. Making mosaics, beaded sculpture and wrapped rocks is on the front burner.
My jewelry was sold in galleries throughout the United States for many years and I was able to earn a reasonable income. My mosaics and sculptures were sold in the Grant County Art Gallery in Silver City, NM as well as pop up shows for holidays.
After living in southwestern New Mexico for 20 years, I moved back to my hometown of Watertown in May of 2022. Due to all that is involved when relocating, my artwork is only available for purchase through my Etsy stores. I look forward to establishing myself as a South Dakota artist.