I have always been fascinated by faces, finding them both mysterious and beautiful. As an art student in college I spent a summer in Italy studying sculpting and jewelry design. On a visit to Venice I fell in love with the paper mache masks of Carnivale. Upon returning to the states I developed my own original technique of creating unique, hand sculpted paper mache masks, and "Jeanne The Maskmaker" was born. Now in my 50's I have been diagnosed autistic; I am one of the "Lost Girls" who survived and grew up. "Masking" is such an integral part of my identity that I became a literal "Maskmaker". This new self knowledge has deepened my appreciation for the magical power of art to help us live and thrive in a world that is not designed for those who are different. We all wear masks; which one we choose is up to us.