Artist Statement
My sculpture explores the depth of human emotion. Sculpting the human figure, I capture the outer signs of emotion that reveal the sacred inner self. I seek gestures that portray beauty and honesty whether they are times of struggle, solitude, or contemplation. As these are moments we all have in common, I create representatives with which we can identify, representatives to walk with us.
Genuine emotional dialogue is vital to the process of creating my work. To achieve this, I draw on friends and family as live models for their honesty and depth of character. The themes in my sculptures are derived from stories in literature and relationships which shape an individual’s soul. I shape, stroke, and cut into water clay with my wooden tools, feeling the raw earth in my hands. I look for signs within—parted lips, clenched hands, and wise eyes.
The human icons I sculpt are representatives to walk with us. It is essential to me that the work lives and breathes on its own, as strength is found through struggle.