... and dreamer. But, I do not want to be defined by titles, background or my last collection. I let my vision define me. For me the creative process is about making connections; reconsidering, remixing and reimagining what is possible. Take, for example, the flip-flop and the lace-up sandal – one a product of eastern culture, one of western culture; two unique and resilient solutions to the question of what to slip on your feet. There are so many ways to solve a problem; so many possibilities to explore!
I grew up in the farming country of southeastern Washington State, characterized by National Geographic as "A Paradise called the Palouse". This early influence created a lifelong love of folk art and indigenous arts and crafts. I learned to value nature, heritage, storytelling and the elegance of simplicity. I also had the advantage of lots of personal freedom, the safety of a small community and solitude. More than a designer, these influences have made me a design thinker. Design is my world view; I use design as a thought process to solve all kinds of problems, from crafting beautiful earrings to designing dynamic and complex buildings.
My work is a reflection of the world around me, experienced every day - with my family, in nature, in my travels, and in architecture. I love to travel, and to meet people and hear their stories. I am fascinated by the shape, color and simplicity of a beach stone, a tree branch or a landscape, by ethnic and traditional handicrafts and textiles, by worn brass door-knockers on peeling paint and old wrought iron gates in hand laid stone walls, and by vintage toys and mobiles, just to name a few things! It all serves as inspiration. When I am dreaming, sketching and designing I draw on this stimulation to influence, motivate and reveal, evolving inspiration into tangible new ideas.
Each resulting piece is created to be inspiring, to be delightful, and to be enjoyed!
