Illuminations 2022.

How does the light shine in your mind, your heart, your soul?

A Motivating Force. 1st Place Winner

My passion is energized by nature. I marvel at the beauty that exists in everything. I can sit forever and watch the endlessly changing patterns formed from light hitting the moving water of a waterfall, or ocean waves. I find it meditative, soothing, and energizing all at the same time. In this sculpture, I hope I have captured some of these emotions for the viewer. The waterfall is cascading from between two rock formations, which also give a hint of being heart shaped. The dimensions are approximately 24″ x 24″ x 5 feet.

Birdsong Brilliance

My heart is energized by nature. All things regarding nature: — landscapes — atmosphere — living creatures. Well, maybe not insects, because they almost always bite me to get to know me. Although I love all forms of life, birds seem to capture my energy a bit more than anything else. I have been drawn to a fascination with birds my entire life. Although some have an apparent outspoken beauty of color, their beauty can also lie in the patterns of their feather, or simplicity of camouflage. They are so intrinsic in our environment, providing not only an obvious source of beauty and entertainment, but also health controls and a key role in the symphony to our ears.
In this sculpture, I pay homage to these creatures who are essential to my inner well-being. I chose the inspiration of a peacock for this work as it has quite recognizable characteristics. The focus is on the sleek form, colors and pattern. The top of the sculpture represents the head. Bright blue with accent of black and white, coming to a point at the top similar to a beak and rounded at the bottom just as the birds neck flows into its torso. It is sleek and smooth, with flat angles. This gives way to a more inverted teardrop shape covered with “feathers”. Each of the “feathers” in this area are colored similar to the highly recognizable “eye” of a peacock feather. There’s fringing along the edges to simulate the texture of the feather. These shapes hang somewhat loosely and overlap each other, allowing the light to pass more strongly from between the fringe and shapes. Dimensions are approximately 2 feet diameter and 3 feet tall.

Illuminations 2021. Life After Covid
1st Place Winner

What will our lives look like after the pandemic?
My piece was titled: Emerging To A New Normal.
Approximate dimensions: 36″ x 30″ x 50″. Weight: 2 pounds, 11 ounces.
The following was my statement.

A pandemic experience. The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19 for short) completely changed our worldwide “normal”. Faced with uncertainty and the fear of the virus, we lost our mobility and freedom as we locked down and isolated ourselves for protection. Like caterpillars form a protective barrier from the world with their chrysalis, our lives contracted to the safety of our homes. We isolated ourselves from as much of the outside world as we could. This is the chrysalis of the work, and it is constructed of those things that keep us safe from the virus: masks and face shields. It represents our time in lockdown isolation, apart from all that we knew as normal, and apart from our loved ones. The colors of blue and black represent depression, sadness, protection, mourning, and death. It is covered with images and words that portray our mental state and reality during this period of time.

As we continue on this journey toward rebirth and renewal from this pandemic experience, we are like the butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. The butterfly has changed from the caterpillar it once was. Although it is the same life, it faces the world with a totally new “normal”. Everything is different for it: rules, perspectives, and freedoms. I feel we are just like the butterfly coming out of our protective enclosures. So much is the same, but so much is potentially different. We are facing a new “normal”, with new rules, perspectives, and freedoms.

The butterfly in the piece is still firmly attached to its protective chrysalis. It is just beginning to venture out, but is not ready to release its protection. Its wings are not fully developed, just as we are not clear of the virus threat yet. New variants and outbreaks are still developing, and so much of our future normal is still not known. We do not yet have the freedom to fly freely away from fear of the virus. The wings are white to represent uplift, new beginnings, rebirth, a new cycle, and the blank page that is ready to be written on. What will our new normal be? We have yet to find out.

The butterfly is mostly yellow to represent happiness, joy, hope, optimism, and rebirth. We are looking forward to regained freedoms, reunions with loved ones, and life returning to “normal”. The hint of orange tones represent excitement, adventure, happiness, good health, and freedom, but also caution. 

The words “HOPE” and “HEAL”, surrounded by broken fragments appear because we are picking up the pieces of our broken normal with hope for the future and the desire to heal from this experience. The color of those words and pieces are in the orange family as we venture forth cautiously for freedom, good health, and happiness.

Its eye color of green is representative of looking forward with confidence, going forth, new birth, new life, regeneration, health, and renewal.
May we all emerge safely.

Illuminations 2020. Light

Illumination 2020 video clip of sculpture

Artists were asked to examine their own metaphorical concept of light and through their work,
through content, style, and choice of material, show what light means to them. 

When I sat down to think about what light really meant to me, I went on a wonderful journey of discovery and reflection. One thought of a meaningful aspect of light would lead me to another facet, each producing a vivid picture in my mind and great pleasure. As an artist, I ultimately realized how important the interaction of light with everything it touches is the essence of these multitudes of experiences, and how our eyes are the starting point for these encounters. In my work, I begin with the eye and hope to convey the many ways that light interacts. I hope that my lantern sparks a similar journey for those who see it. We all need ways to focus on good things right now, and light can be an avenue for each of us to reflect on these good things.