Artist Statement

My work centers around the crafted, meaningful empowerment of those who wear my jewelry. My pieces move and evolve on the wearer’s body with the intent to protect and empower. I unify imagery of reptilian scales with gothic Victorian armor to create pieces that reflect the need for contemporary everyday armor; each piece an extension of the wearer and a visual enhancement of their own strength.

In my current practice, I carve scales into raw leather, paint them, and then set the finished hides into sterling silver. When worn, the flat leather curves and bends in organic ways, ultimately sparking new life on the wearers body. The pieces lay close, softly conforming to the wearer’s skin, evoking the gentle power of a coiled snake.

In recent pieces, I blend and layer patinas, and painted colors with leather and metal respectively to expose greater depth and amplify emotion. My pieces’ intentions are highlighted through the use of soft golds and grays, dancing with deep reds and silvery whites. Together these colors are used to create jewelry that is elegant, powerful, and personal.