Gallery With A Cause • Located in the New Mexico Cancer Center • Benefitting the NMCC Foundation
Please call gallery director Regina Held to arrange a private gallery tour, make a purchase, or ask any questions.
Biography
I lived in Wisconsin along the Lake Michigan shore until retiring in 2019, when I relocated to New Mexico. My decision to move was influenced by a visit with my uncle to Los Alamos during the 1980s. That visit left a lasting impression and ultimately inspired me to return to New Mexico decades later to make it my home.
All my life, I have been drawn to creative expression through the use of various materials. Whether crafting home furnishings or designing decorative pieces with wood or metal, this desire for making things has been a constant presence. My interest in hands-on creation remained strong even as I pursued a career in the IT field, working for 35 years at a campus designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
My parents and grandparents played a significant role in nurturing my creative interests. They were always engaged in making new things and honing their own skills, encouraging me to do the same. They emphasized that making mistakes while learning new techniques is an important part of the creative process. As a result, all the techniques I have developed were self-taught, often through trial and error. In some cases, the mistakes I made led to unexpectedly pleasing results that I later repeated intentionally.
I currently reside in Rio Rancho and actively participate in various art markets throughout the Albuquerque area. In addition to showcasing my work, I enjoy pastimes such as off-road biking and kayaking. I am also continuously seeking to learn new methods of creating art to expand and enhance my portfolio.
Artist Statement
My interest in working with metal stems from a desire to make its surface as captivating as possible. Copper frequently serves as the centerpiece in my designs. The irregularities that easily develop on copper—such as small dimples, sharp folds, or pock-marked finishes created by repeated strikes with sharp punches—transform the metal into a compelling canvas. These textured surfaces allow for intricate color variations to emerge. When applying chemical patinas, the resulting colors vary among the small pools of chemicals on the copper's surface. The chemical reactions within these puddles produce vibrant greens and blues, further enhancing the visual complexity of the piece. I think of this process as bringing metal to life.