For the past 47 years, I have been involved full time in the art & craft of making paper by hand at my studio, Terrapin Paper Mill in Cincinnati, Ohio. Over the years, I have made thousands of sheets of handmade paper, experimenting with a variety of fibers, shapes, colors and textures in 2D & 3D approaches.
Since graduating from Edgecliff College in 1975, I have devoted my life to exploring the possibilities of papermaking. My paper collages have been exhibited in galleries and craft shows throughout the country. Throughout, I have taught workshops in papermaking and related book arts to adults and children.
As an expressionist artist, I work spontaneously using colored pulps made at my studio. Combining patterned fabrics of various textures with other collage elements, I like to challenge myself and others to experiment in making art.
Inspirations come from many sources and often involve plant forms, landscapes and figurative themes. Papermaking lends itself to the collage process through connecting the base fibers in the sheet with many components embedded on its surface. Through the use of artifacts and autobiographical treasures in the process, I find it excels in being a platform for telling stories, capturing memories and bringing deeper meaning to the finished art. Collage has always intrigued me. Combining different but related elements, the process nourishes my sense of discovery and enjoyment of the visual results and tactile nature inherent in papermaking. Recently I have also been exploring monoprinting on my handmade papers.
As the founder of Studio Collection, 29 years ago in my studio, I appreciate showing my art with so many talented women artists. As a long time member of the craft & art community in Cincinnati, I have been the email communicator for the Cincinnati Book Arts Society for over 14 years, board member and Secretary of the Cincinnati Asian Art Society for many years and past member of the board of Ohio Designer Craftsmen.