Many years of drawing and painting laid a firm foundation for my expression in jewelry. When I first had the opportunity to work with metals in 1974 I knew I had found the medium to translate my visions. Jewelry is such an intimate art form. You don't just look at it, you wear it on your body.

I find it very gratifying to be able to complete all the processes involved in my work by myself. Therefore, many techniques are incorporated in creating my designs. I love the twists and turns of filigree, and wax working lends itself well to this motif. Lost wax casting is an ancient process where your wax pattern is replaced with molten metal. I use both centrifugal and vacuum casting. Working with wax seems to be very natural for me. I still prefer the old fashioned way of using a dental tool and an alcohol lamp, I call it painting with wax. This way I have more control over the wax and am able to do delicate detail. In designs that have a lot of flat plains, I use a hard wax that can be filed and sawed. This type of wax working is like sculpture in miniature. Some waxes may take over a hundred hours to complete. If something should go wrong in the casting process I have to start completely over.

Besides intricate wax work, I also construct or fabricate some of my jewelry. In this procedure I use gold or silver sheet and/or wire and solder together parts that I have sawed out. Sometimes I will use a rolling mill or stamp textures into the metal. Many of my designs will include both casting and fabrication as well as very unique stones and gems. I work in every metal while designing a wide range of rings, pins, bracelets, pendants, etc. My commission work is done almost exclusively in gold or platinum.

My work has sometimes been described as ornate and lyrical. Perhaps the fact that I am also a vocal artist has an underlying influence on my work. I am blessed to live in a magnificent setting that nurtures my need to create. Consequently botanical themes such as insects and vines often permeate my work. This inspirational environment continuously rekindles my artistic connection with nature.

I have always had a deep desire to learn enameling. I am currently starting to incorporate this medium into my work. I hope to be able to broaden my creative reach by melding my earlier expressiveness through paint with my current skills in metalwork.