Most of my artwork is based on languages. I realized that the one language we all have in common is dreams. We all participate in the language of dreams and sleep and create our own visual language throughout our lives. Many deities guard our sleep and dreams so that we can travel freely and return easily to our daily existence. In the travels of sleep we create a reality that puzzles, inspires and transforms our daily existence.

My Buddhist inspired sculptural heads are part of a larger installation on the Guardians of Sleep and Dreams. They depict many mythological gods, teachers, guardians and demons. These heads are an unusual combination of man-made objects and nature. The use of nails, pins, beetles, taxidermy, plaster, wax, broken glass, cork, butterflies, algae, claws, feathers, copper, brass, and mirrors creates a complex and fascinating icons that transcends the materials.

The hands and feet are created using the same philosophy as my heads and incorporate similar materials. The hands and feet are visual reminders of who was alive, died and transformed into another reality. Much like the cicadas' carapaces these human shells are made of wax, nails, pins, bugs, and butterflies, and represent transforming individuals and gods. They have departed, and we are left with an imprint of their existence, a simple shell. The shells rest on dried leaves that often contain prayers, chants and/or wishes, as well as broken glass, sealed books, dragonflies, and small material possessions. Both the hands and feet have the lines found on the soles and in the palms, a map of the journey in one's lifetime.

Also, included are ceremonial and personal writing and drawing tools made of bamboo, wax, crustacean body parts, incense, bones, fur and clay. Each is a cherished ceremonial or personal object and serves as reminders of the power of each tool when in the right hands.

Please refer to Claudia Funk's essay about my artwork for further information on my sculptural pieces.