Each day I begin with an intention. It is to in some way engage in activity that feeds my creativity, and also to move in a way that nourishes my body.
Creating art is how I typically fulfill my creative intention.
As a very quiet only-child of divorced parents, art was my voice. It was my companion and means of connection. Creating art was a tool for me to observe the world and express myself. I drew and painted at home. I learned the silk-screening process during summers at the Prescott Park Art Festival in New Hampshire. In high school, under the guidance of supportive art teachers, I explored different mediums and even added an independent art study to my courses. In 1986, I attended the very first month-long summer art program for high school students at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. There I fell in love with making sculpture and working from the human figure.
I went on to study at Maine College of Art, in Portland, and graduated in 1991 with a BFA in sculpture. There, I learned traditional methods of sculpture, casting in plaster and bronze, and practiced the magic that is joining metal to metal with various welding techniques. And I strengthened my study of the figure through life drawing and sculpting in clay from the model.
Art has continued to be a part of life since that time, although now my explorations are with fiber and mixed materials. I spin and dye yarn, and create compositions that incorporate paper, wire, string, thread and sometimes my own yarn. I continue to be inspired by organic shapes, lines and movement, such as those found in the human form.
On most days, yoga is my choice of movement.
Yoga has been a practice that sparked curiosity for me throughout my life, but remained elusive until 2011. Once I committed to trying a series of vinyasa classes, it was clear to me that yoga was going to become a lifelong practice.
Yoga brings a greater sense of balance and awareness, both physically and emotionally for me into each day. I love the challenge of working on more difficult asanas, but also cherish the space that is held within the practice that gives time for contemplation and observation. I was exposed to and was taught seated meditation at a very young age, so finding that aspect within a moving practice, such as yoga, came naturally to me.
In May of 2016, I completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training through Boston Yoga School under the direction of Ame Wren and Terry Cockburn. Prior, I completed a 30-hour Yin Yoga Foundations training in the spring of 2015, as well as a 30-hour Yin Yoga Mindfulness training module in the spring of 2016. Both of those trainings were under the guidance of Josh Summers. I am grateful for all the support, knowledge and encouragement that my teachers have shared and look forward to continued growth and learning.
As a yoga teacher, I aim to hold space within my classes where students may, through both movement and stillness, explore balance, and honor their individual intentions.
Each endeavor and intention that we practice influences and informs all that we do. I strive to continue growing and allowing space for unexpected discoveries within both my practice of yoga and my practice of making art. Please visit Yoga to learn more about my teaching, Art to learn more about my making process and view my artwork, and Updates for my current teaching schedule, art events, and other observations.