Rising from the scrap pile, this predominantly assemblage piece is created from mild and stainless steel. Minimal fabrication was done to the material, as I sought to highlight the features of the scrap itself, and the melding of materials collected. The simple stainless flower atop the sculpture will shin brightly. A variety of processes, including heat and chemicals, were used to enhance and produce unique patina finishes. The phrase “beauty from ashes” inspired and helped guide the fabrication of this piece. Reflecting my artist statement, it’s a visual representation of the beauty that can arise from the broken and discarded pieces of life.
Born and raised in Lansing, I am privileged to call this city home. Over the decades, my passion for art and dedication to keep learning has grown year after year. Although I never went to art school, I did receive formal training in decorative and faux finishing which added greatly to my skill set. I have always loved painting and have done custom work for over 16 years professionally in the field of decorative painting and murals. Although I love painting and drawing, I have also branched out into mixed media and sculpture work. My growth as a sculptor can be largely attributed to my annual participation in Old Town Scrapfest. I’m proud to claim that I have won First Place twice, Second Place three times, and People’s Choice once. I have also placed second at the Dearborn Sculpture Festival. I truly believe creating art in a variety of disciplines pushes me to be a better artist. As an artist in long term recovery, I chose to create pieces that are composed of at least 75% reclaimed and/or repurposed materials. Beauty often lies in the reshaping and restoration process. I enjoy the challenge of creating pieces that blend styles and mediums within a theme. Many of my pieces reflect the notion of struggle, growth, and redemption in both figurative and literal ways. I believe that working creatively within self directed confines produces some of the most beautiful and innovative results.
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