Artist Statement

As a book artist — I appreciate when a piece looks like a book closed and then opens to create a new, unexpected structure. Often structures invite movement which encourages a reader to encounter challenges to expected norms. I especially love when content and form have a dynamic relationship.

As a mixed media artist — I use bold colors to create abstract art, often using geometric shapes, especially triangles and circles. Though recognizable as geometric, they are often layered upon themselves. Words both expressive and asemic add yet more layers. So much media, so little time: acrylics, water color, indigo, marbling, suminagashi, security envelopes, cardboards, stamp carving….

As a writer — I appreciate exploration, complication, and surprise. I am a dystopian. My world view is dark. I focus my cultural lens close to home, asking why things work the way they do and how we might change them for the better. If that doesn’t sound dystopian, I’ll have to admit to seeking joy wherever I can, especially as an artist.

As an academic — I explore culture at the personal, national, and international levels. Asking questions is at the heart of the conceptual artwork I create. While the clichéd What is the meaning of life? is never pondered, What does it mean to be American? Female? White? Or Elderly? are often at the forefront.

MiraCosta Library, Oceanside, CA, April – June, 2018

Art of the Book, Rochester Public Library, Oct-Dec 2026
What She Said
Tri-Strangulation

The Book As Art: Ghosted, Georgia Center for the Book, Sept/Oct 2026
Steps Through Time

Quiet, The Los Angeles Makery, April 2026
Staring Toward the End of the Bridge

Illustrated Accordion, Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, Feb/Mar 2026
Hanging by a Thread

Book Arts: Beyond Expectations, Gallery at Liggett Studio, Sept 2025
Mark It
Ripples Through the Crowd

Art of the Book, Rochester Public Library, Aug/Nov 2025
Steps Through Time
Accordion Roundup
Onion Book

No Theme, Theme Show, Covet Art Gallery, Feb 2025
The Plot Thickens
Mark It

PLAYTIME 3, The Los Angeles Makery, Feb 2025
Nursery Rhymes and Nursery School Activities: A Dual Accordion

Illustrated Accordion, Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, Feb-Mar 2025
Accordion Roundup

Biggest Little Zine Fair, Long Beach, CA, Dec 2024
Amazing Women
On the Streets Down Under
Don’t Be So Serious
All Made Out of Ticky Tacky

Abstract Show, Escondido Arts Partnership, June 2024
Spinning Marbles
Mark It
Intention Orange

Dames of Grand, Escondido Arts Partnership, Jan 2024
4 Portraits, 2 Women, 1 Orbit  (collaboration w/Jane Mushinsky)

Illustrated Accordion, Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, Feb-Mar 2024
Nursery Rhymes and Nursery School Activities: A Dual Accordion

The Book as Art: Rock, Paper, Scissors, Georgia Center for the Book, Sept-Oct 2024
Counting Loss

Members Only, Escondido Arts Partnership, Dec 2023
Eau de Coloré

Size Matters, Escondido Arts Partnership, Mar 2023
Circling Around

The Book as Art: Transformation, Georgia Center for the Book, Oct 2022
Eye Was Taught to be White

Local Color, Escondido Arts Partnership, July 2022
Spring-a-ma-thing

The BIG Little Art Show, Escondido Arts Partnership, Oct 2022
Beach House Books

Summation, Escondido Arts Partnership, Dec 2021
Caterpillar Journal 
If I Sit…

The Big Little Art Show, Escondido Arts Partnership, Nov 2021
Scrapple
The Plot Thickens

Fiber & Book Arts, Escondido Arts Partnership, Sept 2021
Covid Times
Turning
Eye was Taught to be White

Ideally Abstract, Escondido Arts Partnership, July 2021
Turtle Dreams 
Will It Go Round

Pandemonium, Abecedarian Gallery, Mar 2021
Covid Times

Illustrated Accordion, Kalamazoo Book Arts Center, April - June 2021
Street Art Framed

2021 San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild Summer Exhibition, June - Aug 2021
International Juried Exhibition
Tell Your Stories

Illustrated Accordion, KABC Online Exhibition, May - June 2021
Tri-Strangulation

Fiber & Book Arts, Escondido Arts Partnership, Sept 2020
Street Art Framed 
Thinking
Tri-Strangulation

Louder than Words, San Diego Book Arts. Jan - Feb, 2020
Tri-Strangulation

Cherchez La Femme, San Diego Book Arts, Oct 2015 (collaboration w/Linda Shaffer)
Mother Mary

Artists' Book Cornucopia IV,Abecedarian Gallery, April - June 2013
What She Said

Hidden Agendas, Atelier 6000, April – May, 2013
Mining a Vein
What She Said

Summation, Escondido Arts Partnership, Dec 2012
Hourly

Art Riot, Escondido Arts Partnership, Nov - Dec 2010
Sprite
What She Said

Figurative, Infinity Art Gallery, Oct – Dec 2010 (collaboration w/Linda Shaffer)
International Juried Exhibit
Opening Night

West Coast Fiber & Book Art, Front Porch Gallery Sept/Oct 2010 (collaboration w/Linda Shaffer)
Despair

Art Riot, Escondido Arts Partnership, Sept 2009
Bouncing
Joy (collaboration w/Linda Shaffer)

Fast Forward Press 2009
Fast Forward v2, Cover art

Local ColorExhibit, Escondido Arts Partnership, July 2009
Breaking Through

Small Scale, Escondido Arts Partnership, Feb 2009
Cutting Out Fish
Patty Reed

SummationExhibit, Escondido Arts Partnership, Jan 2009
3x3

Art Riot Exhibit, EAP 9/08, book arts
Mining a Vein

Art Riot Exhibit, EAP 9/08, book arts (collaboration w/Linda Shaffer)
Panache

Arts Alive, Public Art—Oceanside Street Banner, Summer 2008
Sparkling Starfish

Fall River Public Library in Massachusetts

Private Collectors 

Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library

University of Colorado Special Collections

University of Indiana Chemistry Library

University of Indiana Special Collections

Yale University Special Collections

500 Handmade Books v2, Julie Chen Juror, 2013

What She Said