I was born in Switzerland and grew up in a small town surrounded by cow pastures. Starting at an early age I was exposed to the arts and crafts by two very creative parents. My mom sewed and knitted clothes, painted furniture, made carnival costumes, and much more. One of my best early childhood memories was when my father would take me to his work at the textile design studio. There I was able to paint with acrylic paints on large pieces of paper. I still fondly remember the smell of the paint in the studio. My favorite vacations as a child and teenager would take us to Florence and other European cities where I spent hours admiring and studying the artwork in museums.
About 7 years ago, when I started to make my “little beings”, I found a way to combine all my passions in my art work. I get to sculpt (ceramic), paint (glaze), knit, crochet, sew, and create small scale costumes. In my sculptures I combine different parts that play with contrasting materials — ceramic and fiber, smooth and rough, hard and soft. Most of the pieces also combine different kinds of beings. I love the idea of blending human and animal forms, for example a piece with a human and a bird leg. I believe that we are all connected.
I create, knit, crochet, sew, needle felt, hand build (stoneware and porcelain), and glaze all the parts. I enjoy working with clay and love glazing the ceramic pieces, and I very much enjoy the crafting aspect such as knitting and sewing. These, what are considered women's crafts, have always been a big part in my life and I am excited that I found a way to include the traditional fiber crafts into my sculptures. For fabrics I like to use repurposed antique tea towels and linens that I often dye with tea, coffee, or other plant materials. I welcome the idea of including traditional crafts and materials in what we consider fine arts. Some of the inspiration I find in the carnival culture, which has been a big part in my life growing up and later when I was living in New Orleans.
Before I started working on my sculptural pieces, my focus was on painting. Because of the colors' vibrancy I mainly worked in oil paints. For many years the topic and inspiration of my paintings was rooted in the connection to my childhood place and to my roots. Painting the crown has been a healing and meditation process for me. I earned a five year degree in Graphic Design at a Swiss art school. After a career as a graphic designer I moved to the United States and studied sculpture and painting at the University of New Orleans. Later I graduated with a painting degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder.
I have shown my work at different venues in the US and in Switzerland. Some of my sculptures can be viewed at LeMieux Gallery in New Orleans, LA and at The New Local Gallery in Boulder, CO. I am also a member of Open Studios in Boulder, CO.
About 7 years ago, when I started to make my “little beings”, I found a way to combine all my passions in my art work. I get to sculpt (ceramic), paint (glaze), knit, crochet, sew, and create small scale costumes. In my sculptures I combine different parts that play with contrasting materials — ceramic and fiber, smooth and rough, hard and soft. Most of the pieces also combine different kinds of beings. I love the idea of blending human and animal forms, for example a piece with a human and a bird leg. I believe that we are all connected.
I create, knit, crochet, sew, needle felt, hand build (stoneware and porcelain), and glaze all the parts. I enjoy working with clay and love glazing the ceramic pieces, and I very much enjoy the crafting aspect such as knitting and sewing. These, what are considered women's crafts, have always been a big part in my life and I am excited that I found a way to include the traditional fiber crafts into my sculptures. For fabrics I like to use repurposed antique tea towels and linens that I often dye with tea, coffee, or other plant materials. I welcome the idea of including traditional crafts and materials in what we consider fine arts. Some of the inspiration I find in the carnival culture, which has been a big part in my life growing up and later when I was living in New Orleans.
Before I started working on my sculptural pieces, my focus was on painting. Because of the colors' vibrancy I mainly worked in oil paints. For many years the topic and inspiration of my paintings was rooted in the connection to my childhood place and to my roots. Painting the crown has been a healing and meditation process for me. I earned a five year degree in Graphic Design at a Swiss art school. After a career as a graphic designer I moved to the United States and studied sculpture and painting at the University of New Orleans. Later I graduated with a painting degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder.
I have shown my work at different venues in the US and in Switzerland. Some of my sculptures can be viewed at LeMieux Gallery in New Orleans, LA and at The New Local Gallery in Boulder, CO. I am also a member of Open Studios in Boulder, CO.
