One of 200 ANGELS in A COMMUNITY OF ANGELS public art project in Los Angeles based on the Zurich model of asking artists to adorn fiberglass molds representing their city.
MIND YOUR HEART was sponsored in 2000 by the Richard and Harriet Orkand Foundation and purchased at auction by the Schulman’s of San Pedro.
In 2018, the Schulmans relocated to Washington State and have generously left MIND YOUR HEART with us. We are currently looking for a new Los Angeles based home for her.
Read 2002 Society of American Mosaic Artists’ (SAMA) publication
GROUTLINE article
On partial scholarship at PILCHUCK SCHOOL OF GLASS, taught by FELICE NITTOLO with assistance by PINO CERCI, I made this sheild out of smalti to represent how vulnerable New Orleans was during Katrina. Usually heraldry is on the outside of the shield. It’s inverted here as first in a series of places, ideas, people that are left without basic protections. I’m a Californian, with dual citizenship north and south . (LA and SF) so I used our colors - greens, oranges, blues to represent our love for New Orleans, LA.
2000 - Early work example of series of SAFE SPOTS. Places for wishes, blessings, jewelry…Mosaic decorated cookie tin, fabric interior. Emerging vision of the longing for contemporary peaceful rituals. I still enjoy making them.
MOSAIC DRAWINGS evolved from a love of Sharpies, and a flooded studio.
2011 visit to Hawaii included a trip to SHANGRI LA, which says it has one of the largest collection of Islamic art. Our host was especially interested in weaponry. I drew this KARD for him from a photo in an inspirational book called ISLAMIC ART (the Past and Modern) by Nuzhat Kazmi. I will be slowly absorbing this book forever; it’s gorgeous, informative, and well written. Likely the best $20 I ever spent.
“Flaming Tree” Ok..Sharpies and the refillable COPiC sketch pens.
Type: Drawings, Mosaic, Markers, Sharpies
2012 began with a phone call from David Parsons at Summer Studios telling me that my New Year was starting off well. Bob Meistrell from BODY GLOVE had come in with his wife Patty and fallen in love with my “Catch a Plastic Wave” mosaic Surfboard and wanted to buy it.
Generous souls, the Meistrell’s showered me with sea shells from all over the world, stories and showed me their art collection in their home. I’m so happy to meet such an innovative and generous family and be brought, even a bit, into their fold.
“Catch a Plastic Wave” was made in March 2008
Materials: 9' Joe Black Long Board graciously donated by the Turners of Rancho Palos Verdes, recycled plastic bags from Von’s and Ralphs' recycling bins, blue plastic bags from LA Times rain days, colored plastic trash gathered after Easter Sunday at Point Fermin Park in San Pedro, CA, rocks glass, mirror, foil, paint and adhesive.
“Catch a Plastic Wave” was in part inspired by Ira Glass’s THIS AMERICAN LIFE #253 “In the Middle of Nowhere” which tells a story about a 10+mile long length of plastic bags in the middle of the Oceans that no one is responsible for.
Upon further research I found other articles that say this of plastic is difficult to photograph from satellite but can easily be seen from boats. There are many other sources/ photos/videos of plastic destroying our seas and sea life. Plastic is now in the food chain.
There is better news..and will be continuing. In 2002, Ireland imposed a tax on plastic bags thus decreasing their use by 94% in weeks. By the end of 2008, Australia will follow China’s lead in eliminating plastic bags come June. In March of 2008, San Francisco became the first US city to ban plastic shopping bags. Whole Foods ended it’s use on Earth Day , April 22nd.
Type: Mosaic, Plastic Bags, Ocean, Surfboard, Trash, Awareness, Body Glove, Recycled, This American Life, National Public Radio