Often I begin a piece from a written “gem” that I have mined from a story or one of my journals . . . translating the words into broader meaning with shape and color. More and more, my actual writings are finding their way into my pieces. Visual art and written art run in parallel lines for me. Words are as bold as color and increase the impact on the viewer. Allowing others that personal look over my shoulder into my thoughts is, at times, intimidating. But words are as much a part of my personal expression as collage or digital art. Stories often end with a question which makes us think and feel and often connect to something within it. In my artwork, I have found a creative outlet that allows me to say things I wouldn't say aloud with the end result sometimes a surprise. My palette is mostly culled from papers that are found, manufactured or handmade and then I add textural objects such as buttons, beads, digital images, magazine clippings and fibre to the surface with paint, pastels and various other artist media. Just like a story, some artwork comes together fairly quickly and others require several more drafts. For me, the process of artmaking is a labor of love as well as a challenge.