I am an artist, author and instructor. Over the last two decades, my mixed media mosaic work has evolved into an original and easily recognizable style. My unique approach combines handmade polymer clay tiles with beads, jewelry pieces, charms, glass tile and found objects. I feel very fortunate to be able to combine my love of travel and passion for art through teaching at art retreats. My work has been published in numerous magazines and books. I have appeared on both HGTV’s, That’s Clever and on DIY’s, Craft Lab. My own book, Mixed Media Mosaics, was published by North Light Books in 2007.
My explorations with polymer clay began over two decades ago. With a background in painting, I continue to bring that aesthetic to my clay work creating mixed media mosaics and assemblage. The color of the clay does not really matter to me as it is all about transforming the surface of the clay. This painterly effect is achieved by using acrylic paint, mica powders, wax pastes and gold leaf. The surface is further embellished by embedding it with discarded jewelry bits and pieces, beads, found objects and metal findings. The greatest joy for me is experimenting with what clay can do and how it can be combined with other mediums. Overall, my work is influenced by an eclectic mix of Medieval, Renaissance and Mexican folk art. The gilded devotional panels of the past become secular icons imbued with personal narratives. Art and folk traditions referenced in my work derive from my travels abroad. The highly embellished surfaces, including segments of text, form sumptuous tapestries of traditional and modern materials. Like a modern-day alchemist tinkering with the ancient art of mosaics, I find magic in combining disparate elements.