A native of Miami, Florida, my life-long connection with the natural environment began at an early age while exploring coastal waters and mangrove forests near my home. A passion for art was later set in motion at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas where I studied painting, drawing, art history and sculpture, completing a BFA in 1984. For many years since then I have worked as an artist, illustrator, science writer and educator.
Fascination with hand papermaking processes led me to complete an MFA in Book Arts at the University of Iowa [2016] with a focus on Japanese-style papermaking, along with the history, traditions, and the spiritual/ healing aspects of the practice.
Heavily influenced by the cycles of life, much of my work is a response to the metaphysical energy exhibited in nature, particularly within the detritus or "relics" that remain after life is gone. Using the inner bark [bast fibers] from specific plants, my goal is to try and capture nature’s vibrancy in my sculptures, prints, paintings and artist books.
*March 2021