Things Made By Hand

Although my visual work these days is mostly 2-D, I have been most challenged to learn while problem solving, and found great satisfaction, in making 3-dimensional objects - something I’ve done since childhood.

Many of the things I made by hand were one-of-a-kind. I learned how to build through trial-and-error.  In retrospect, I'd have saved lots of time and frustration if someone had just shown me how to pattern a 3-D object, or told me which materials would be best to use for structure and durability.

What I gained through that process, however, was vitally important.  I learned persistence, willing-ness to trust a solution would come, to keep ques-tioning and do research, to follow my hunches and streamline the process as I went on.  

I also value the incredible power of collaboration and thank my colleagues in regional theaters and at Sci 3.2 for time spent in their inspiring company.

​During my career I've created scores of props, puppets, masks and sculptural costumes. I've costumed plays for both children and adults, designed sets for theater, museum exhibits and events as well as parade floats, while drafting plan drawings and sculpting large scale props for them.  

As an arts educator I've guided children through the process of creating sets, puppets, costumes and masks.  Watching kids go through the stages of struggle and discovery, then finally complete pro-jects, is deeply satisfying. Below are samples of my work as well as a few pieces created by students.