I am interested in animal iconography, and recombining ambiguous animal characteristics into visual parables that illustrate intersection of human and animal nature.

In my series of “Familiars,” I explore various species of the physical and psychological extension of an individual and their ego, as both flora and fauna. The notion of familiars has developed through a very old tradition of folklore and mystical spirituality; often described as the part human, part animal helper of a witch/warlock or shaman.

Hand carved and cast teeth are the common element in each Familiar, the animalistic touchstone that transforms an object, wool or recycled pelt into something live, something that may bite. I use mixed media including some natural plants, bones and fur that I collect from beaches and forests and combine then using an eclectic mixture of techniques from sewn construction, to needle and wet felting, casting, ceramics, leather-working, and wire.

Another ongoing series entitled “Pool,” is based on the visual representation of animal consciousness, as described by philosopher and author George Bataille in his novel ¬Theory of Religion. I construct or draw the setting of an empty pool, lined with cross-shaped lane divisions. Into the pool I suspend ambiguous animal or anthropomorphized legs. In this series I have experimented with adding a lighted component using strung bulbs, and partial, site-specific installation.

Both of these bodies of work tie into my investigation of spirituality or system of being outside of the human experience. I have always looked to nature and animals to find wonder and a source for piety.

While much of my work is sculptural, I also create two-dimensional collage combining felt, hand-made art papers layered with paste paper, and block and solar prints. I install much of my work outdoors to photograph, creating a dialogue between materials that have been removed and transformed, and then returned to their original environment. The mouth and pelt-like appearance of the work has inspired impromptu performance using the pieces as both costume and puppetry, which I document in stop-motion video and photography.