The Artist

As an undergraduate I concentrated on printmaking and as a graduate student I focused on ceramics.  Along with teaching, I worked as a part-time studio potter and adult pottery instructor.  I enjoyed working in clay and did so for nearly twenty years.

So why did I decide to make books?  I took a break from ceramics to think about what I might like to do in the future.  Thinking about the future led me to thinking about the past.

I remembered the hours I spent as a child making “imaginary maps.”  Making maps let me draw, color, paint, paste, cut and fold paper. And many of the maps I turned into small books.  With those childhood memories in mind I took a basic bookmaking workshop at Peters Valley School of Craft in Layton, NJ.

I really enjoyed the workshop and found this was the new creative direction I wanted to head in.  I sold my potter’s wheel and my kiln and became a book artist.

Of course no one creates art in a vacuum.  I would like to thank the book artists who have been my instructors or have encouraged me in my bookmaking explorations – Carol Barton, Susan Lightcap, Miriam Schaer, Mary Phelan, Jude Robison, Hedi Kyle, Maria Pisano, Ed Hutchins, Paul Jackson and Barbara Mauriello.

I would also like to thank the members of the the Upper Chesapeake Book Arts for their ongoing support.

Since 2004 I have exhibited in numerous galleries in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Colorado, California, Kansas, Oregon, Georgia, Utah, Massachusetts ,Washington and Ohio.

I have completed a month-long residency in book arts at the Peters Valley Craft Center in Layton, NJ, and was invited to teach a summer workshop there.

I’ve taught book arts workshops in many venues to all ages from preschoolers to adults.