Background

When not busy in my studio, I coach gymnastics, working with young girls ages 6-18 on gymnastic and life growth skills.

I attended The Art School (a K – 12 school affiliated with the California College of Arts and Crafts) growing up in California. After graduating from California State University Sonoma, I worked in video and post-production for the U.S. Gymnastics Federation. In 1996 I returned to coaching gymnastics while at the same time rekindling my interest and talents working with mixed media art.

I currently live in Bridgeport Connecticut with my husband, two daughters, and two cats.


Doll Making

I have been making dolls since 2003 when I took a cloth doll making class with Akira Blount. Akira taught me how to sew using a machine and more importantly how to make patterns from my own ideas. She was a great inspiration to me. I fell in love with the process and spirituality of dollmaking and have been creating ever since. Shortly after Akira’s class, I took a class with Ankie Daanan and Marlaine Verhelst. There I learned how to use clay to sculpt the head, hands and feet of a doll from scratch and how to use wire in the body for stability.

I have combined the techniques from both experiences to create my own style of dollmaking using both clay and cloth. All of my dolls begin with an idea of the doll’s personality and then thoughts about body position. Many times I am inspired by the feathers or fabrics that I use. Sometimes it is the character in the face that leads me.

The actual building of the dolls, for me, is very consecutive; each part of the process building on the part before and adding to the original idea. This continues until the doll becomes a rich, full spirit with both physical and emotional layers. At least that’s the way it happens in my head!

In creating my pieces I use a combination of the following materials: air dry clay, cloth, wire, ribbon, hand stitched beading, feathers, seashells and other natural materials. Each piece is hand sculpted and unique. All pieces are signed originals.