When do you work best? 

Under deadlines, pressure, and when I'm multitasking. 

How has your practice changed over time? 

I’ve significantly revised my materials and conceptual content over the last fifteen years. I primarily work with glass now; previously, I worked with metal and mixed media. I also shifted my practice to incorporate digital tools. Conceptually, my work now examines the influence of industry on community.  

What fuels you? 

I’m inspired by the people I work with. That may be my studio assistants, my students, or my teaching colleagues. 

What material do you work with and why? 

I work with glass primarily. It is such a humbling material, and it always teaches me about the limits of what's possible. 

How do you get unstuck? 

I’m always looking back at past research (drawings, writings, and data) to remind myself of unanswered questions in previous work. Those questions become fundamental to the framework of the next project. 

Where do you find inspiration? 

I find inspiration in failure. Glass rarely does what I ask it to do. 

Who has influenced you and your work? 

My students, my family, and my community are constantly inspiring my approaches to making. I’ve had excellent teachers and mentors who continue to encourage and support me. 

Who do you hope to influence? 

My work overlaps with science and data visualization, which starts conversations and connects my work to audiences outside of the visual arts.  

Why are you an artist? 

I don't believe I could be anything else. I’m drawn to other creative people and communities. 

What advice would you give other artists? 

I was told early on that being an artist is a challenging career, and maybe I should look for something else. It is a demanding career, but finding a place in a creative community helps sustain my studio practice. 

What question would you like to ask other artists? 

How does the (current) political climate impact your practice, and how do you manage it?