Artist’s Statement

I work in the medium of mixed media collage enjoying the many tactile benefits of the art form that give me permission to collect, to tear, to touch, to play. I use a combination of handmade and manufactured papers and re-purposed materials, pencils, paint and found objects. I am always on the lookout for that perfect something to add an element of surprise and whimsey into my art.
For 15 years I lived just south of St. Edwards Park on Finn Hill. It was here I developed a love for birds and particularly the crows who were ever present on their route in the morning and evening to the large roost in Bothell. I began following the research done locally on the crows and have a great appreciation for their intelligence and personalities. I call this current body of work my “Common Bird series” as at first glance you might think the picture is just a bird, but when you look closer you can see the many layers, surprises and idiosyncrasies that crows (and humans) have in common.
Using historical maps as my backdrop has combined two of the things I love as a self-proclaimed “bird nerd” and “map geek”. I was thrilled when in my research I found that Corvids and Chickens are the two birds that are on every continent in the world….so any map works. It was a surprising revelation to me how many of my customers are fascinated with maps and birds…..they seem to go hand in hand.