-
Artist Statement – Sculpture 2025
When I started using wire I was making jewelry. That skill was useful when I started building electric fences for my sheep using recycled telephone wire. The telephone wire continues to show up in my work. As for choosing the material for creative expression, wire sparked for me years later during an Open Door session at Haystack Mountain School of Arts.
Once I overheard a comment at an opening that dismissed my work as a Calder knock-offs… I was flattered and insulted. Wire is a medium, oil is a medium, wood is a medium, stone is a medium, plastic is a medium. I find Alexander Calder’s works inspiring.
“I have been making wire jewelry – and think I’ll really do something with it, eventually.” -Alexander Calder
Being interested in traditional basket-making my structures are often vessels with interior elements. Animal forms and physical gestures inspire a lot of the work. The quiet spider like action of winding and weaving the wire around and around becomes both meditative and structural. Materials assert themselves and a piece will often take on its’ own serendipitous gestured direction.
“Drawing is like taking a line for a walk.“– Paul Klee
. . . .I enjoy taking wire for those walks in space with wire.
The process of discovery and problem solving to create a structure that will be strong, interesting and communicate is what I enjoy and keeps me making.
SCULPTURE
HORSES
Horses have been a life long passion and inspiration for me. This is a minute sampling – They range from table top to life size:
BIRDS …………………………………. What wonderful creatures, the variety, the music, their habits and travels are so amazing! And they can fly! It is such fun to reach for their images.
FIGURES …………………………………. Of course how to not play with figures? Sometimes simple wire sketches evolve into large pieces.
OTHER BEASTS…………… Somehow they come to life. And allow imagination to stretch reality.
VESSELS ……………………….. Starting with simple baskets and using various metal wires for color brings these alive. Playing with scale and interior layering adds interest
PAINTINGS. ……………………. Painting was my first serious media. I enjoy Watercolors and also work with acrylics.
FARM
A small MOFGA certified organic sheep farm in Southern Maine. The flock of near 50 sheep are LaCaune /Coopworth crosses. Bred for meat, wool, milk, and parasite resistance.
Cuts of organic Lamb are available at Sanford and Portsmouth Farmers Markets in the Two Toad Farm Stand. Organic Hay is also available in the field in June and through the fall from the barn.
Raising sheep provides a daily privilege, opportunity and responsibility to go outside and move! As well as observe and partake in the miracle of nature through the seasons.
Nurturing Nature For Nutrients!
PHOTOGRAPH Y …………………… As you have seen above, I love to make Photographs. I have been documenting my observed life for many years and thanks to digital cameras have had the luxury to be excessive with my interests in texture, architecture, and the natural world where ever I travel.
