Just last week I completed this new series of framed pieces. Not many people have seen them yet, but I've been told they are reminiscent of specimens in a natural history museum. I take this as a compliment; as my intention was to create objects that at first glance, look like they were just picked up outdoors. A second look, however, will reveal that they are actually assemblages, and in some cases, what appears to be one twig may actually be two or three joined seamlessly together. The twigs are further embellished with items I've collected over the years in the woods, on the beach and along country roads. Some of the items featured incorporate feathers (both from wild birds such as Blue Jays as well as our own backyard hens), seed pods, bits of grape vine, and crab claws.

I am asking the viewer to take a closer look by creating new objects from these found materials and then framing them. My intention is to showcase the beauty of these natural objects so often overlooked in our everyday lives. 

The pieces are mounted on antique Irish linen given to me by a family friend. The beautiful linen was passed down three generations and was still wrapped in its original label when I received it.

The frames were professionally custom made into deep shadow boxes from reclaimed Cedar and Redwood that has weathered beautifully on our property.