My artistic oeuvre spans a range of materials and processes; I have found many to be satisfying and enduring. I have always loved using my hands to work with a variety of materials and have enjoyed experiencing my artistic and technical development in a variety of media. Throughout my creative development I have drawn inspiration from a myriad of sources including the natural environment, the diversity of the human race, and philosophies of the ages.

I derive great satisfaction in hands-on manipulation of various three-dimensional media and relish the challenge of shaping materials to convey concepts. The therapeutic potential and pleasure inherent in sculpture has called me back time and again. There is such warmth in the materials and much energy in the process. The experience of creating and altering seemingly impenetrable materials has been a strange and moving experience. It has required compromise and understanding and empathetic response to the medium. I have had moments of spiritual clarity when the literal haze has lifted, carried by brisk autumnal winds. Developing the instinct and self-trust to know when and where, but never fully realizing why until it's too late, has exposed me to the bittersweet taste of learning the hard way. What a way to learn indeed. I have learned to be flexible to a point and how to predict the grain and the give and the light. I have honed my perceptions and delicate senses; I have tasted satisfaction in feeling its right and known too well when it's wrong. I have known what it's like to make a terrible mistake and regretted that it can't be undone. The process has nurtured patience and great awe for my hands, chiseled strong muscles and resolute limbs.

I believe a diverse range of concepts, materials and processes is imperative to creating provocative and intriguing artwork. I have continued to investigate traditional sculpture processes through independent study at UIUC with Alex Fekete, through non-credit courses with Chris Berti, sculptor and faculty at Parkland Community College and under the advisement of Roger Blakely, sculptor and retired UIUC faculty. With their direction, I have gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of sculpture materials and methods.

Growing up in a family of artists, I was surrounded by creativity and encouraged to explore my own imagination. I have been particularly influenced by my grandfather, Marvin B. Martin who started the sculpture option at UIUC and taught sculpture here for many years. Being exposed to his inspiring legacy of artwork as well as his memoirs and teaching notes of his tenure at UIUC helped me to develop and define my own creative style and has fueled my desire to expand and master my technical skills in sculpture. In addition, living in wilderness areas of several national parks as a child while my father was a park ranger, and growing up in a rural country setting encouraged an appreciation and respect for conserving the natural art of our environment.

These experiences during my formative years established the foundation of my interest and appreciation of art in its many manifestations including the splendor of sculptural shapes, forms, and textures in nature. There are a multiplicity of forms around us with exquisite shapes and colors and design. I have learned to look closely at the natural beauty of little details. I have heightened my perceptions and improved my observations of the art in every moment. I have learned that it is important to learn to look and appreciate and respond to what we see.