artist statement     

My works seek a harmonious combination of conflicting materials and ideas to reflect the culture we live in with intuitive insight. The juxtaposition is challenging, visually startling and energetic.

Favorite themes come from our world with nature sounds, smells, shadows, and movement, in the form of birds, trees and the river often contrasted by utilitarian industrial products.

As an artist I feel very comfortable in a variety of art forms. However for the last several years beads are my choice. They have the power of light, color, texture, and shape and are a wonderful time tunnel to other cultures and traditions.  I am enchanted by their beauty and love holding them in my hands as I work. The tools are simple, just a needle and thread but I often work with complicated techniques. Beads have it all: color, form, history, spirit, and seduction.

Week Long Master Workshops

David Chatt

Further Explorations in Beadwork:  A Master Workshop

A sought after teacher and lecturer, lives in Seattle, WA

Valerie Hector Master Workshop Beading Under the Influence: Historical & Cultural Approaches

Author of The Art of Beadwork: Historic Inspiration, Contemporary Design

Lives in Chicago

Mary Lee Hu Creating Wire Jewelry

University of Washington, School of Art

Seattle, WA

Suzanne Lenert Kazmer Cold Connections

Hacienda Mosaico, Puerto Vallarto Mexico

Diane Fitzgerald Zulu Meets Swarovski

3 day workshop

Lives in Mpls MN

Also many one or two day workshops with various regional bead artists inclucing:

Virginia Blakelock

Robert Dancik

Mary Hettmansperger

June Huber

Met Innmon

Sue Jackson & Wendy Hubick

Alice Korach

Beth Kraft

Mark Lareau

Debbie McDermott

Marlynn McNutt

Lisa Niven Kelly

Beth Kraft

Martina Naegle

Sonoko Nozue

Carol Perrenoud

Malcom Potek

Margot Potter

Nick Regine

Brenda Schweder

Michael David Sterlin

Kim St. Jean

Judy Walker

Jill Wiseman

and many more

Formal Art Education

Saint Mary’s University, MA Art

Minneapolis and Winona, MN

Hamline University, BA Art

St. Paul, MN

CASA Paris Drawing and Printmaking

Paris, France

University CA Santa Cruz, MA program

Santa Cruz, CA