I had the good fortune of meeting recycled paper sculptor Miriam Ladron de Guevara in a small mountain village in Oaxaca Province, Mexico. She generously taught me her process and I have continued to create sculptures since returning home. Although I previously worked only in 2-D media, specifically oil painting and printmaking, I have fallen in love with sculpture. I love the physicality of the process - cutting and bending wire , engineering viable structures, feeling the paper pulp in my hands as I make and apply it, assembling intricate “skirts”, and pouring cement bases. My sculptures are primarily female figures that evoke for me inner struggles, strengths, and strivings. I lean towards themes that allow me to create dynamic figures, often in a state of movement or balancing.
Working in a new medium means I am constantly learning. As I get more comfortable with the basics, I can push the boundaries of my craft. Inspired by my continued study of past and contemporary sculptors like Edgar Degas, Giacomo Manzu, Alberto Giacometti, and Phillip Levine, I am experimenting with different treatments of the sculpting material. As my “engineering” skills improve, I try more challenging structures. I am also exploring different recycled, upcycled and found objects to incorporate into my work and am fascinated when I come across other artists who work with these materials. Last but not least, I am intrigued by the potential sculpture has to evoke feelings and connect to the viewer. As the Seattle sculptor Phillip Levine said, “Sculpture is three-dimensional storytelling. Sculpture leaves a great deal of room for the viewer to bring his/her story to add understanding and enjoyment.” I have been delighted to experience this reaction in people viewing my work, and I am challenged to create pieces that tap into universal questions and issues that speak to my audience.