I have always been fascinated by the capabilities of metal as a medium. Born and raised around a sheet metal shop, at a young age I viewed metal as a rigid material utilized for specific purposes. I then went on to run an HVAC business for 30 years, where metal acted as a functional material. After retiring from the HVAC business in 2021, I decided to further explore my interest with materials, returning to school at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and graduating with my BFA in 2025. During my studies at SAIC, I was exposed to an array of diverse materials, and developed my skills working with not only metal but also glass, fabric and paper. Since graduation, my practice has entailed mixing metals, fabrics and glass to form one-of-a-kind hats, jewelry, sculptures, and environments that draw people in to inhabit an alternate space or time that is intriguing yet comforting. I am inspired by naturally rusting metals, found objects, and light as I create an aesthetic that is both old and new.