CRYPTIC SPECIES

These mixed-media sculptures imitate biological forms, such as plants and ocean creatures, maybe a sea urchin or tube coral. However, when you look closer, they reveal ink-stained toothpicks protruding from wax-coated Styrofoam, and rolled paper covered with plaster cloth, soaked in dye. Things are not as they appear, and definitions remain elusive.

For me, art combines visual study with material exploration during the act of creating; these elements then culminate in physically manifesting my thoughts. I am interested in the observation of nature, especially botanical forms and their patterns. Using these insights and imaginings, I create works that mimic organic life. In doing so, multiple pieces, like species, develop concurrently in appearance. They stay distinct and unique, yet many share traits, such as shapes of cones, tubes, and disks, along with some rough, spiky, or cracking surfaces, just by their proximity on the studio table.

I enjoy the parallels between the scientific approach and my study of these cryptic species. Made as individual sculptures, this series has primarily been displayed as an installation titled “Morphology: Altered Observations,” referencing the branch of biology that studies the form and structure of organisms, as well as their specific physical features. Observing these works with their unusual combinations and unconventional materials, I create a tension between what is definable and what is indefinable. 

Center Revealed

3 ½” H x 10” W

Expanding Foam, Caulking, Spackle, Gypsum, Reactive Dye, Thermo-dimensional Paint

Center Revealed

Underside

Center Revealed

A closer look

Continued Growth

3 ½” H x 7” W x 3 ½” D and 5 ½” H x 16” W x 5 ½” D

Expandable Metal Mesh, Plaster Cloth, Reactive Dye, Wood Paste Wax

Expanding Points

4” H x 7” W

Cartridge Paper, Expanding Foam, Instant Glue, Acrylic Paint. Thermo-dimensional Paint

Repeated Expansion

8 ½” H x 10” W

Viscoelastic Polyurethane Foam, Cotton Twine, Gypsum, Reactive Dye, Fluid Acrylic Ink, Pigmented Encaustic Wax, Gel Medium

Stand Connected

12” - 14” H x 2 ½” D

Paper, Steel Wool, Cotton Gauze, Dye, Paraffin and Carnauba Wax

Multiple Directions

7” D

Polystyrene Foam, Steel Wool, Steel Bale Wire, Mulberry Paper, Transparent Gesso, Copper Wire, Metal Powdered Epoxy

Concentrated Expansion

9” H x 9 ½” W

Painters Tape, Shoe Polish, Transparent Gesso, Chenille Stems, Heavy Gel Medium, Metallic Acrylic Paint

Convoluted Movement

10” D

Polystyrene Foam, Expandable Foam, Gypsum, Transparent Gesso, Crackle Medium, Reactive Dye, Fluid Ink, Iridescent Acrylic Paint

Revealing Interior

5” H x 4 ½” W x 4” D

Expandable Metal Mesh, Gypsum, Reactive Dye, Acrylic Paint, Embossing Powder, Modeling Paste, Carnauba Wax

Fine Points

7” H x 10” W 

Four-Ply Cotton Paper, Instant Glue, Reactive Dye, Paraffin and BeesWax

Many Edges

4” H x 3 ½” W

Three-Ply Cotton Paper, Instant Glue, Reactive Dye, Ink, Spray Paint

Numerous Reflections

5 ½” H x 7” W x 8” D

Expandable Metal Mesh, Cotton Tread, Sodium, Black Diamond Blasting Sand

Fixed Together

6” H x 7” W x 7” D

Three-Ply Paper, Instant Glue, Ink, Gypsum, Plaster Cloth, Reactive Dye, Fluid Acrylic,

Many Points

5” H x 7” W x 5 ½” D

Polystyrene Foam, Paraffin and Beeswax, Alcohol Ink, Wood, India Ink

Broken Cluster

5” H x 9” W x 6” D

Expandable Metal Mesh, Plaster Cloth, Instant Glue, Fluid Ink, Reactive Dye, Acrylic Paint

Broken Cluster

Alternate view

Reducing Mass

3 ½” H x  41/4” W

Expanding Foam, Plastic Netting, Thermo-Dimensional Paint, Reactive Dye, Fluid Acrylic, Gesso, Dimensional Paint

Multiple Edges

5” H x 8” W 

Four-Ply Cotton Paper, Instant Glue, Reactive Dye, Butane Lighter

Points Revealed

7” H x 5” W 

Viscoelastic Polyurethane Foam, Cotton Twine, Heavy Modeling Paste, Clear Gel Medium, Reactive dye, Fluid Acrylic Paint

Expanding Layers

6” H x 4 ½” to 9 ½” W 

Polystyrene Foam, Polyester Batting, Thermo-Dimensional Paint, Gypsum, Plaster Cloth

Concentrated Connection

8” H x 7” W 

Three –Ply Paper, Instant Glue, Plaster Cloth, Gel Medium, Clear Glaze, Reactive Dye, Fluid Ink

Repetitive Directions

5 ½” H x 10” W x 6” D

Cotton Fiber Paper, Instant Glue, Powdered Graphite

Repetitive Directions

5 ½” H x 10” W x 6” D

Alternate angle

Upward Twining

15” H x 3 ½” to 10” W

Two- Ply Paper, Instant Glue, Plaster Cloth, Reactive Dye, Fluid Ink, Mulberry Paper, Gel Medium

Unfolding Together

Cardboard Tubes, Gypsum, Plaster Cloth, Reactive Dye, Fluid Ink

Circular Expansion

5 ½” H x 8” W x 8” D

Expanding Foam, Caulking, Cartridge Paper, Gypsum, Crackle Paste, Reactive Dye, Fluid Ink, Thermo-dimensional Paint, Acrylic Paint, Heavy Gel Medium