Rebirth and death happen simultaneously.

I am exploring duality in these large and small installations as they reflect the ephemeral yet robust aspects of life. The large flowers at their height of bloom, the animal and human figures that have shed their skin, and the extinct creatures such as the ivory-billed woodpecker express my conflicted acceptance in coming to terms with the transience of all things. This notion of love and loss, attachment and letting go, is further complicated in the age of environmental catastrophe.

The ferocity and beauty of nature can be seen in the shapes, colors and details of plants whose competition for resources epitomizes the unique character of North Florida. A particular inspiration are the rare carnivorous plant bogs in Sumatra Florida, about 40 miles east of Tallahassee, that illustrate the wild and almost surreal lengths to which life will go to sustain itself.

Evidence that these pieces are made by hand is important to the work. The forms are often made from repurposed quilts, needlework and dresses that have their own robust yet fragile history. Using these handmade materials gives another layer of meaning and is a tribute to the work made by women in my family and the world at large.

These works are about celebration in a wondrous yet transitory world.