I’ve always been drawn to the beauty and pageantry of masks;the way they enhance, transform
or hide our own true persona.
I began making masks at an early age, using a variety of materials.
Over time, I became intrigued with using leather as a medium to capture or highlight the facial form.
The leather masks I create originate from a variety of influences- from the realms
of fantasy, theatre and mythology, to the more organic world of animals and insects.
I also find inspiration in such basic elements as fire, water and plant life. I strive
to provide a sense of texture, movement and life into my work. My hope is to entice others
into the tactile experience of trying on a mask. To do so may be to play a character, or to
assume a new identity – or it may be just to have fun wearing a second skin.
February, 2013 - Featured masks in a group show entitled “Masquerade” for the Georgetown Art Attack event at American Pie Bakery. November, 2012 - Selected by an artist panel as Best Visual Artist for Seattle , during RAW natural born artists awards event, held at Trinity nightclub. (rawartists.org/alteregos). February, 2007 - Featured masks at “Arty Gras” Masquerade Ball, at Laurelwood Hall. December, 2006 - Displayed in group mask show at Capitol Hill Arts Center for the Arcana New Year’s Masquerade event. Work described in the Seattle Weekly as “phantasmagorical leather creations.” May, 2004 - Appeared in group show at Rosette Handcrafted Gifts.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
February, 2013 - Featured masks on The Century Ballroom website, for the annual Masquerade Waltz. May 2006-2012 - Featured masks at the annual Greenwood Artwalk. October, 2012 - Displayed masks at Terra Bella Floral and Mercantile. Also constructed a large custom piece for the shop window display, during Halloween. December, 2005 – Exhibited masks at Local Color, a Seattle coffee house and gallery in Pike Place Market.
PERFORMANCE EVENTS
2005-2006, 2010, 2012 - Featured masks as well as large-scale paper and cane work in the Fremont Summer Solstice Parades. Created large animal totem that was part of the 2012 Ice Queens ensemble. February-March, 2010 - Featured work in the Taproot Theatre production of The Odyssey. Designed and constructed wearable pieces for the characters of Athena and Cyclops. June – January, 2013 – Completed a series of custom-made animal and mythological themed leather masks for an original ballet production of Dante’s Inferno as well as Demeter and Persephone, produced by Burmer Music. Original masks were commissioned to be created and were worn by several of the dancers in these productions.
Also created the primary set piece for the Dante’s Inferno show. This was a giant figure of Satan made of wire mesh, papier-mâché, and cane. Satan also featured illuminated eyes and light-weight wings which span 10 feet and move on hinges.