~ RECENT WORK ~
This is the most recent work I have done (late 2007 - now) and is indicative of the style and concepts I am currently working with.

I have always enjoyed playing with the contrast of the cutesy and the creepy, but this series takes it to new extremes as I use actual dead animal products, instead of just sewing stuffed bones, to create the pieces. Using taxidermy and bones, I either create or enhance objects that are typically considered traditional decorative items, such as dolls, small curio pieces, wind-up music boxes, cameo wall pieces, and even the display cases they are shown in. I am inspired by the craftiness of everyday people, like my mother, who express their creativity through decorating their houses. But there is also a darker side to this decoration, as much of it is considered antiquated, and I personally see the creativity of everyday people slowly dying away in our modern, minimalistic world. Thus, both the "death" and the "preservation" of this medium is expressed through these dead and preserved animals. They also help to give the opulent kitschy-ness a little bit of a rock'n'roll edge.

All pieces that are made of bone are made from either found bones, bones purchased second-hand, or bones harvested from owl pellets. Work that is made using taxidermy is either from vintage (50 years or older) fur stoles, vintage taxidermy, or taxidermy purchased second-hand. I strive to create creepy, realistic pieces, but only through cruelty free methods where the animal either died naturally (as in the case of owl pellets and found bones), or collected so that fur & hunting industries are not directly supported from their purchase (as in the case of the vintage and second-hand fur & taxidermy items).

Please click on the thumbnails to view larger images of the work.

Wind-Up Dancing Blue Vixen - 2007
Materials: Vintage taxidermy fox head, gutted wind-up doll, velvet, lace, tulle, rope, doll's hair wig, faux flowers, plastic pearls.
Info: Approx. 19" H. Winds up at back, underneath hair, and slowly dances by twirling upper body in a circle. Music box plays "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

Wind-Up Dancing Violet Vixen - 2008
Materials: Vintage taxidermy fox head, gutted wind-up doll, large-cord corderouy, lace, tulle, various other fabrics, rope, doll's hair wig, small plastic cameo, silver plated chain, costume jewelry, modified wind-up key.
Info: Approx. 18" H. Winds up at back, where jacket tails split with a large, modified wind-up key and slowly dances by twirling upper body in a circle. Music box plays "Memory" from Cats.

The Fairest - 2007
Materials: Wood plate upholstered with foam & fabric, trimmed in lace, painted bones, mirror, plastic pearls, doll's hair, feather.
Info: Approx. 7" x 5.5". Part of a series of bone "cameos" taking inspiration from fairy tales.

Something Wicked - 2007
Materials: Wood plate upholstered with foam & fabric, trimmed in lace, painted bones, felt hat, fake flowers.
Info: Approx. 7" x 5.5". Part of a series of bone "cameos" taking inspiration from fairy tales.

The Marriage of Mrs. Mouse - 2007
Materials: Wood plate upholstered with foam & fabric, trimmed in lace, painted bones, fake flowers, plastic jewels, plastic pearls, doll's hair.
Info: Approx. 7" x 5.5". Part of a series of bone "cameos" taking inspiration from fairy tales.

Busts of 2 Girls - 2008
Materials: Wood plate upholstered with foam & fabric, trimmed in lace, painted bones, fake flowers, costume jewelry, doll's hair.
Info: Approx. 8.5" x 8.5". Part of a series of bone "cameos" taking inspiration from fairy tales.

Wig and Crossbones - 2008
Materials: Wood plate upholstered with foam & fabric, trimmed in lace, painted bones, fake flowers, plastic pearls, frosted clear plastic rose button, lace, feather, doll's hair wig built on stuffed fabric base.
Info: Approx. 13" x 11". Part of a series of bone "cameos" taking inspiration from fairy tales.

Scarab - 2008
Materials: Wood plate upholstered with foam & fabric, trimmed in lace, painted bones, fake flowers, vintage peach costume pearls, feathered wings, doll's hair.
Info: Approx. 13" x 10.5". Part of a series of bone "cameos" taking inspiration from fairy tales.

Seated with Tea - 2007
Materials: Modified doll house furniture & accessories, painted bones, doll's hair, plastic pearls.
Info: Approx. 6" x 4.5" x 2.5". Part of a series of free-standing bone-sculpted dolls with doll house furniture and accessories.

With the Water Basin - 2008
Materials: Modified doll house furniture & accessories, painted bones, doll's hair, lace, water made of melted & "poured" plastic.
Info: Approx. 3.5" x 3" x 2.5". Part of a series of free-standing bone-sculpted dolls with doll house furniture and accessories.

Piano Player - 2007
Materials: Modified doll house furniture & accessories, painted bones, doll's hair, fabric, ribbon, clock gears & parts, music box, vines crafted of painted plastic and fabric.
Info: Approx. 7" x 6" x 5". Part of a series of free-standing bone-sculpted dolls with doll house furniture and accessories. In the second set of photos, the piano has been modified into a wind-up music box that plays "Frère Jacques" and the sheet music stand has non-working clock gears attached to it for decoration.

Mini Demon in Bell Jar - 2008
Materials: Bell jar, painted bones, faux grass.
Info: Approx. 12" x 6". Part of a series of fantastical "scientific specimens" presented under bell jars.

Cat Crab in Bell Jar - 2008
Materials: Bell jar, painted bones, coarse sand (glued down).
Info: Approx. 12" x 6". Part of a series of fantastical "scientific specimens" presented under bell jars.

Mini Demon in Cocoon Under Bell Jar - 2008
Materials: Bell jar, modified small pedestal (painted and trimmed in faux fur), painted bones, faux flowers & foliage, gravel (glued down), "cocoon" made of modified plastic leaves.
Info: Approx. 18" x 5". Part of a series of fantastical "scientific specimens" presented under bell jars.

Mini Demon with Jewel Under Bell Jar - 2008
Materials: Bell jar, modified small pedestal (with brass flower attached), painted bones, faux flowers & foliage, brass metal leaves, feathered ball & other feathers, moss, glass beads & plastic jewel.
Info: Approx. 20" x 5". Part of a series of fantastical "scientific specimens" presented under bell jars.