Artist Statement and Experience

I am a manager for a garbage company in Eureka. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of waste humans generate. Objects seem to lose their usefulness so quickly in our society. The reality of waste is that there really is no such thing. Most items that are placed in trash either have multiple purposes or are able to be transformed into new things like building materials, playground mats, compost, energy and ART! In addition to being a manager, I am also an artist. Art has always been in my life. Prior to working in the waste industry, I mainly worked in either oil or pencil but in using these mediums, but always felt restricted by needing to stay within a certain signature style. “Junk Art” has freed me. When I go to the dump, I don’t see waste. I see potential for sculpture. I let the objects I find give me direction to what forms my sculptures will take; abstract, figurative or whimsical. Look closely at my pieces you may find something familiar. Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse!

EXHIBITIONS

2007

Impastos, C Street Gallery, Eureka, CA
Grand Opening, Kronos Gallery, Eureka, CA
Redwood Art Association Group Show (Juried Show)
Morris Graves Museum, Eureka, CA

Art’s Arcata Garden Gate, Arcata, CA
13th Annual Junque Arte Festival (Juried Show), Eureka, CA
Redwood Art Association Group Show (Juried Show), Eureka, CA
Group Show at Kronos Gallery, Eureka, CA
Humboldt Arts Council All Member Show, Morris Graves Museum, Eureka, CA

2006

Artist in the Park, Opera Alley, Eureka, CA
Beer Bellies, One Woman Show, Morris Graves Museum, Mel Schuler Sculpture Garden, Eureka, CA
12th Annual Junque Art Festival (Juried Show) Morris Graves Museum, Eureka, CA
Redwood Art Association 48th Annual Spring Exhibition (Juried Show) 424 Third Street, Eureka, CA
4th Annual Small Works Benefit, Morris Graves Museum, Rotunda, Eureka, CA
Three Friends Group Show, C Street Gallery, Eureka, CA
F.U.S.E., Accident Gallery, Eureka, CA

2005

11th Annual Junque Arte Festival, (Juried Show) Morris Graves Museum, Eureka, CA
Humboldt Art Council Member Exhibition, (Juried Show), Morris Graves Museum, Eureka CA
Redwood Art Association 47th Annual Spring Exhibition, (Juried Show) Morris Graves Museum, Eureka, CA
Redwood Art Association All Member Show, 5th Street Gallery, Eureka, CA

2004

Redwood Art Association 46th Annual Exhibition (Juried Show)

1992

Merritt College Art Department Scientific/Biological Illustration Annual Show, Merritt College, Oakland, CA

AWARDS

2007

Humboldt Arts Council All Member Show, Second Prize
49th Annual Redwood Art Association All Member Exhibition, Honorable Mention

2006

12th Annual Junque Art Festival, Third Prize
48th Annual Redwood Art Association All Member Exhibition, Second Prize

2005

11th Annual Junque Art Festival, First and Third Prize

2004

46th Annual Redwood Art Association All Member Exhibition, Honorable Mention