Freeing myself from captivity is a recurring theme in my life.
I knew by the second grade that not only was I unhappy, but the structure forced upon me would not serve the life I wanted to live. I was
only one person, and I knew that I could take care of myself. I considered this intrusion into my life an insult to my person.
I found my place in art. There were little to no rules, and I could use my imagination, which I had honed, to protect myself from the mediocrity of institutions.
One of the first things I did in my art was to use zinc came instead of the traditional lead. I like the nice straight lines and curves I was able to achieve, as well as the ability to extend the lines past the perpendicular lines into the open space beyond.
Holding various thicknesses of glass over rotation steel, stone, cork, and felt allowed me to break away from the traditional 1/2-inch bevels used in nearly all beveled glass windows and explore different angles to create an engaging visual experience.
Using UV adhesive to join various colors of antique glass to the back of my bevels gives them a jewel-like quality, a nice contrast to the clear beveled pieces.
I am most fond of the roaming clear round bevels that are the symbol of the freedom I have so often sought in my life.