The human element has been studied and immortalized for centuries: cave paintings, the sculptures of the classics, and captured in poetry. Humans, it seems, have an inherent quest to identify and explore a basic question: What does it mean to be human?

In my sculptures, I search for this answer. I choose to combine human form with natural substances in order to gain a better understanding of our role on this planet. My medium, wood, is an innate part of this earth and who we all are as people. However, wood is also rich and varied…creating a natural paradigm of originality and creativity.

Used for fire and warmth, used for shelter and used as a tool for sustenance, wood is intrinsically liked to the timeline of human evolution. By combining wood with the human form, I capture this everlasting symbiotic relationship in my sculptures.

Each piece of wood was chosen for the inherent character it represents. Each log…tree….branch….knot brought out a specific form. No human models were used in these pieces; I allowed the wood instead to guide the shape and provide inspiration.

The wood I use comes from Florida storm damage. Creating beauty from destruction is a paradox I find very moving and intriguing. Storms bring so much sadness and devastation each year. I try to make something positive out of the wreckage.