Gallery Work

2011. Grand Valley State University. 

              Alice Elaine Series:

Unfortunately, I no longer have the statement from this show. However, I will speak a bit of what this series is about. Birds are that iconic symbol that I associate with home and family life. My grandmother, Alice Elaine, was a woman who traveled the world in search of tiny treasures from emeralds in Africa to Rubies in India. Always, of course bringing back remnants of her travels in the form of charms for her "baby birds" which were my mother and aunt. She was also an avid seamstress working for the local theaters. One could say she lived a beautiful life as well as a very tragic one. Such a strong-willed woman, led by passions and desires, she lived her own life according to her own rules...as well as her own death. This is a tribute to her glories in life as well as insight surrounding her death.

World on a Branch.

The weight of a heavy nest on such a tiny branch, so was the burdens of having a family life. Tied down to the tangled mess of the nest when one has wings to fly.

Pin-Cushion Bracelet.

 Talents of a seamstress, 

with skill and dexterity in her hands, 

she pierces both fabric and soul, 

to make the perfect stitch.

Alice was a very beautiful and strong woman for her time, however, she was a very tortured being.

Two-Hearted. Backside of brooch.

Two-Hearted. Brooch front.

Two men. Two Hearts. Lives being torn apart and the burdens carried throughout a lifetime.

Familial Ties.

Familial Ties. Detail.

Familial Ties. Pendant

 Familial ties, secrets and lies.

Locket. Backside.

Locket. Front.

 This locket can never be opened. It conceals the secrets that she took to the grave.

Peace.

Peace. Detail.

 Peace and two bullets. Seeking comfort in her own death.

Heritance.

Oh, the connections we have in life to someone no longer around. The beating of a butterfly's wings in a particular moment of time can have a profound effect on the future..

Identity.