Bedford Studios / Cape Breton Bronze

Living in a small coastal community isolated from am immediate artistic community, I draw from place and people to direct my theme of work and solve my technical issues of medium through experience which ultimately affects and challenges my work in progress. Working at my kiln and home foundry in this small town, brings me closer to the independent and resourceful people of this Island, which I feature in much of my work as models, or inspiration of spirit and passion. From an artistic family and living in many homes fronts as an armed forces family, I experienced different attitudes and culture, opening me to accept what is and investigating each new landscape as I moved, finally finding a permanent home in Nova Scotia.

But this has helped me in choosing my muse in human character and discovering different mediums in which to express this nature of situation and emotion. The complex nature of people has held my fascination and continued through in my figurative work in painting and sculpture as it is a never ending pool of expression. I also find art or expression of shape and form in not only humanity, but and in nature and objects around me, forcing me to make choices in theme from an abundance of muse. 

Nature also draws my mind’s eye with inspiration from manipulation of seascapes. Drawing a parallel between people and nature with emotion, this tenuous connection has inspired the boat series which I am presently working in bronze. Familiar with feeling the waste land of an open ocean and the fragile metal base I would be standing on for 10 days while the sea reached and grabbed continuously for the ship, I see the water scape as a mesmerizing fascination of danger and awe.

From the shore line it continues to affect me in a more placid way. The beauty of the shape of many ships or boats is what I found to express this ever changing scene.

Drawing a parallel to nature’s changing mood and people’s individual nature continues to influence the figurative choice in clay to comment on human condition or beauty of form.

A second line of clay in the form of decor and functional pieces has developed from the clay cleaned from the sculptures and used in smaller items. This allows me to offer my clay and small bronze pieces to a larger audience, and encouraging the interest in the larger sculptured pieces.

In 2004 I completed a public art piece celebrating the community and it’s resource of people in a large fountain wall. I will continue to watch for a new opportunity of a public art call as it puts artistic endeavor into an accessible domain. Meanwhile I will continue to focus on my boat series for future exhibit and attempt to make my art available for everyone.