I am a primarily self-taught artist who strives to make a difference in society through my work. I call my art Socially Conscious Modernistic Folk Art . A reflection of lived experience, cultural memory, and compassion for those often overlooked.

My pieces are mixed-media assemblages created from reclaimed, found, or donated materials: wood, metal, machine parts, automobile components, plastic refuse, and clothing. I often incorporate words of wisdom or short poems to deepen the emotional resonance and mood of each piece.

My work is both a reaction to our throwaway society and an homage to my Eastern European refugee parents and heritage. I draw inspiration from people who have fallen through the cracks, who are barely squeaking by, and from my own experience growing up feeling worlds apart from mainstream American culture. English was my second and sometimes third language, and my family lived in a kind of cocoon, one that was resourceful, frugal, and deeply mindful of what we had. Nothing was ever wasted. Bottles, wood, clothing, everything was reused, repurposed, or transformed long before “recycling” was a popular concept. This upbringing taught me to see beauty and meaning in discarded things and in people society often overlooks. Through my art, I aim to highlight those who don’t fit neatly into

cultural norms, who may feel marginalized or disenfranchised, and to reflect on how our country still has room to grow toward greater compassion and inclusion. My hope is that my work sparks thought, empathy, and awareness, a reminder that every object, and every person, has value and a story worth saving.