My Story

I grew up in New England in a big, loud, creative family, someone was always making something, whether it was wood carvings, metal art, macrame, or painting. I was lucky to be surrounded by so much hands-on creativity from the start.

In college, I majored in sculpture because I couldn’t pick just one material, I loved it all. I basically lived in the studio, working late into the night until security kicked me out. But I realized I wasn’t drawn to the gallery scene. I was drawn to what it meant to be an artisan— someone who makes an object for joy and function, with skill and craft, rather than for show and exhibit. It was not a popular attitude with some of my art professors.

During my junior year, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend a semester in Italy. In Florence, I studied restoration and Florentine history. It allowed me to visit so many churches and historic buildings that I would have never seen as a tourist. I took in as much as I could. Different types of beautiful art can be anywhere--often in the most unexpected places--and I found myself spending a lot of time making sketches of the floors. They were so beautiful and, in my opinion, underappreciated since there was so much else to take in around and above. Back in the States, I finished my formal studies and in 2000, graduated from The University of Massachusetts with a BFA in sculpture. 

Since then, I've done a bunch of not-art-related work-things, including running a pizza shop, leading a cannabis trim team and holding more conventional jobs. I spent a couple of months teaching English at a summer school in China and used the opportunity to soak in the artistry found in the temples, museums, tourist sites and in everyday places. It was a great learning experience that allowed me to broaden my exposure to forms and styles beyond the European influences I was used to.

But no matter what I do, I always come back to art and creating. I've worked on stained glass restoration, manufactured ceramic lamp shades and taught classes on fused glass and ceramic painting. Several years ago, I was invited to participate in an iron pour at an industrial arts facility nearby. I had only done one metal pour in college, with bronze, but loved it. And now, since doing my first iron pour, I am hooked. Since that first iron pour, I have participated in a couple of metal pours a year, usually with my sisters. Loving the process and usually making pieces for my home. Pieces that will last forever.

I've found I'm truly happy when I am making something. Teaching fused glass and doing stained glass restoration really got me hooked on all of the different colors and textures of glass. And the different ways that it can be used and manipulated. So now I'm drawing from all my experiences to create original pieces for people to enjoy.  Sometimes those pieces are very traditional, like floral cabinet doors. But often, I am drawn to more pop culture, macabre and humorous subjects.

These days I can be found in my home studio in Massachusetts, where I live with my extremely wonderful husband --who is also a prolific painter --and our adorable cats. And at local events selling my work. So go click on the events page to see where I will be next.