Inspiration
My work explores the interplay between man and nature. I am intrigued by our ability to both value its beauty while our actions often impact its natural systems.
I combine a mix of three main materials: glass, precious metals & gemstones. My glass technique involves the centuries old process of cold working the glass. Cold working does not use heat but, rather, water to keep the glass cool while manipulating it using techniques such as cutting, grinding, drilling and polishing. I feel that this constructive process imitates man’s attempt to dominate nature.
Every series begins in my sketchbook. I immerse myself in photographic images taken during my own travels as well as images taken by my father, who in his retirement travels the globe and has become a really wonderful nature photographer. I often accompany my sketches with lists of key words and thoughts and study the colors and textures captured in our images. I experiment to create my own ‘visual language’ that explains the story I wish to tell. My goal is not to create a literal portrait, but to convey the visceral feeling and overall vibe of my inspiration. I seek to capture the fleeting beauty found in nature, and encourage the viewer to think about their own relationship to the natural world.
