I am entirely self-taught and it has taken me many years to perfect my art. I learned to sculpt by the trial and error method. I do have natural talents that helped me along the way though. I am extremely determined and goal oriented. I am naturally spatial: I see both positive and negative spaces. I have always had a natural sense of balance. I also inherited a talent for healing from my Mother. I consciously try to include that gift in my sculpting. Sculpting is not a natural gift of mine. It is a learned talent. It is simply the method I chose to express my deep feelings about many topics.

I started sculpting little figures in 1980. First they were made out of bread dough and soon after out of polymer clay. I thought my work fit into the miniature world at the beginning because my figures were 6 ½ inches tall or less. I soon learned I didn't really fit in that group. They are mainly concerned with scale and I am more concerned with proportion. I felt uncomfortable staying within a restrictive size requirement. I needed more freedom to express my artwork.

Fortunately I discovered the doll world in 1994. My work ranges in size now from 2 inches to 28 inches. I have tried sculpting the human form in many mediums too; bronze, porcelain, paper and stone clays, polymers, wax, and resin. I have an exploratory nature and I am always trying to push my skills to the limit. The process has sometimes been painful, however, I have gained a lot of experience because of this tendency to stretch and to explore new techniques. Experience has taught me not to be afraid of new ideas and challenges. Over the years friends have asked me to sculpt men, women, and children of all ages. Because I was brave enough to stretch in the past I have a lot of flexibility in what I choose to sculpt now.

During this exploring time I tried to find my own style. I was looking for the size and medium that makes me happiest. When I started sculpting I sculpted whole figures. In the last few years I have gone back to whole figure sculpting. I have discovered that classic, whole figure sculpting is my favorite style. My favorite size is rather small and feminine. I prefer dolls that are 12 inches tall or less. Detail is very important to me. I have learned that I prefer a medium that is skin toned and warm to the touch. Polymers and resins have become my favorite mediums because they are warm. I look for subjects with a lot of diagonals. That gives me movement in my dolls. I discovered I enjoy the challenge of sculpting two figures together. Finding my preferred style of sculpting is comforting but I will probably never stick entirely to one style. My nature won't let me do that. I prefer the freedom of expressing each idea in the medium and size that best suits it. And I am sure I will stretch in new ways as challenges come up. I am always growing and changing.

Along with my polymer work I have been exploring the world of bronze for the last year or so. Working in bronze has been interesting. Metal work is a challenge and very dirty. I do the work myself. I do not send it out to a foundry to be cast into metal. I am learning mold making in the process. Taking a sculpture from clay to metal takes a long time but I enjoy the results. It is very satisfying. I am also experimenting these days casting art pieces in clear resin with shadow images inside. The learning curves of both new adventures always include surprises.

I enjoy a wide variety of mediums and sizes and I also enjoy all sorts of people. I am a true people lover and enjoy meeting the public. Going to shows is like going to the candy store to me. I love sharing the diversity of the doll world with the uninitiated. The surprise and fascination on their faces excites me. One of my talents has been to sell dolls to people who would not consider themselves doll collectors. My work many times bridges the art world and the doll world making that rather natural. I am fortunate that my work has gained a loyal following. My work has been included in gallery shows in San Diego, Long Beach, San Francisco, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, New York City, and Tokyo. And my work has been featured in national and international magazines. I am a member of the National Sculpture Society and the Professional Doll Makers Art Guild.