Artwork:
On my way to my studio, driving north on interstate 77, I came across a steel mill that has two smokestacks. One bellowing out flames and the other white smoke as they burn off gases in the mill. The stack bellowing out yellow-orange fire that reminds me of the flame on the torch of the Statue of Liberty that she carries in her right hand. Those flames of freedom also adorn the top of my sculpture “Know Justice, Know Peace.” This sculpture is an affirmation of a prayer for all unjustly killed in our country, from children and teens of Sandy Hook and Parkland to Emmet Till, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor to name a few. Loved ones of these many people can find justice for their murderers and peace in their souls as they come to terms with the loss left in their hearts as time moves on. The savage elimination of life shows humanity at its worst. Can all mankind move beyond the hate and find peace to give us all salvation in a new beginning.
Artist Statement
My artwork speaks to the ethereal aspects of the spirit in men and women. I use abstracted avian images to foster my ideas in hand carved wooden sculptures. This reminds me how beautiful life is and the spirit within all humans who strive to search for their Higher Power and work to be the best they can.
As an infant, I can remember having a mobile above my crib with birds of different types hanging from it. Being from a military family, flight was a part of my father’s life as he was an aerospace engineer, and my uncle was a helicopter pilot, both in the army. That aspect of leaving the ground into the atmosphere reaching for the heavens leaves much too the imagination.
I choose to do work that expresses my emotions, especially when the world gets ridiculous. Making rebellious statements through art is my way to cope with a world gone mad.
$3,000
