Self Analysis

This is a mask heavily influenced by a painting: "A Visit to the Psychoanalyst" by Remedios Varo (one of my faves). I rarely make a piece so directly linked to another's work - but this one just had to be!

I'd like to believe that self analysis is the key to understanding oneself, but it seems that the more doors are opened, the longer the hallway becomes (and this piece was made in 2001)! I'm not ashamed to admit that a visit (or two or three) to the psychoanalyst has become necessary, but I am a bit embarrassed that I put it off as long as I did....

Life Support

This piece was conceived and made at the same time as the previously shown "Heart Attack" and further illustrates how I work within a theme. All the work I'm currently doing is in this same framework: lots of ongoing themes that sometimes mutate into new themes. For me, creativity is an evolutionary concept and, by its nature, never static.

"Life Support" is another one of those masks that I wish I'd written a few notes about when I made it! Without a doubt, I had hearts on the brain - but the motivation has escaped me.....

A Heart Attack

I love words - and plays on words, and this piece is clear evidence of that! Most times it is somewhat challenging to get an idea across using only a face, but this mask was almost too easy. Of course, this heart attack is not of the medical emergency sort: I'd like to think that we can be overcome by whimsy and heartfelt delight at any moment.

I made this mask circa 1999 and I still think about it occasionally......

A Gathering of Old Friends....

Here is a grouping to illustrate what I was talking about in my last post. All of the sculptures are wearing masks - except for the "Open Heart". The masks can be removed to reveal the face underneath. I play around with these and put different masks on the sculptures: there are always so many possibilities within my own creative sensibility that I have a difficult time putting limitations on it.....

Open Hearts

I was pleased to find that I still had photos of these small sculptures since I thought they had been lost in a computer crash. I made them circa 2000 and they were the first sculptures that I meant to be stand alone pieces. Previous small sculptures had been created as stands to display the masks......and a number of people commented that it was a shame to cover them up! So began my journey with freestanding pieces. I love making them but it's difficult to find places for them in my small studio: walls are so much easier! That said, I'm having more and more ideas for new ones and have a few in the works......

These particular pieces are each around 10" high and were made of earthenware clay.

Are We Having Fun Yet?

I've been having fun - going through photos of masks past. This one is from 2002 and seemed a good fit for a Friday that's arrived on the heels of summer. I used to do a lot more harlequins, and I still do make a few small ones, but they just aren't as interesting to me anymore. That is probably because I've done just about all I can do with them (for now). At the moment, and for quite some time, nature, nurture and dreams have taken center stage.....

Bored Game

The older I get, the less time I have for games. This mask is a manifestation of my lack of tolerance and a not so subtle statement about the nature of games. I know that we're programmed early on to be participants, but there comes a moment when you or I must say: Enough, already! I've reached that point and now must decide how to live the rest of my life.....

The Center of the Universe

Aren't we each the center of our own special universe? If not, it seems like we should be! Of course, that doesn't mean that others don't matter or aren't important - it's just that we need to recognize our own uniqueness. If we can value ourselves for what we are, then it seems that we might be more likely to appreciate the special qualities of others....



This mask is a very early piece - probably nine or ten years old. Heck, it's not even a teenager yet!

Fool's Paradise

I borrowed some imagery in this piece! If you couldn't tell, it's from Rousseau and his wonderful primitive gardens. For this mask and the series of pieces that followed, I sculpted and carved the original face, then made a mold to create others. Especially when there is intricate carving done, a mold can be quite useful and time saving! This particular mask was cast with earthenware slip, sculpted upon and then bisque fired. I used underglazes to color the different areas - then gave it a final firing. The finishing is with pencils.

There have been many fools created in my studio and perhaps I am the biggest fool of all. But, seriously, I enjoy making them for they are (for me) symbolic of everything lighthearted and of the kind of wisdom that exists in simplicity.....

Which Came First?

Here's a mask from my "archives" - meaning it's another blast from the past! It marks a beginning of my egg pieces and nearly the end of my work with lowfire, earthenware clay. I'm still using the egg as a symbol but have abandoned the earthenware in favor of stoneware, sculpture and porcelain clays.

The eternal question that this mask asks is eternally puzzling to me: not so much because it's a question that can't be answered, but because I wonder why we ask it...

Coming in For a Landing

This mask resided for quite a while on the homepage of my website - until finally being replaced by the "Blue Queen". The only thing that the two have in common, besides my own favoritism, is their "crowns".



Coming in For a Landing was the beginning of Birdgirl in mask form. As you probably already know, Birdgirl is one of my alter egos and I use her to express many of the emotions and questions I have. This piece is a bit sad, I know: her twig crown has lost its leaves and become tears. Although the leaves cannot be replaced, they can fall to earth to be reborn while Birdgirl continues on her way....