I graduated from UCLA in 1979 with an Art degree and a focus in sculpture and ceramics. In my late 40s, I took up metalwork and found my true passion.

My husband Peter was the one who pointed out a class for “sculptural welding” in the course list at the local junior college. He thought that sounded fun. I was doubtful. I thought it sounded like a “guy” thing. He’s always been incredibly supportive of me doing art and finding creative outlets. I had put art aside as a younger mother because I wanted to be focused and available for our kids. I went out on a limb and signed up for that class and I’ve never looked back.

In 1998, I joined the California Blacksmith Association. There was something in me that needed to weld things larger than life, but I got that out of my system after a couple of decades in the field. In 2014, I transitioned from welding big pieces to the finer work of chasing and repoussé.

Chasing and repoussé is the technique by which the raised designs on Roman armor are made. This technique is done with many different hammers of different weights and an endless variety of tools with different forged tips – all made by blacksmiths. (I love my tools!)

This form of art is very time intensive, so I can spend many months working on a single piece of art. Of all the forms that I have tried, this one is the best fit for me. When I’m able to achieve that perfect turn of a lip, or get a jaw line just right, it makes me very happy! Most of my subject matter is based on things that move me in books I’ve read.

I discovered that I loved working with metal and loved the whole-body physicality of it. I love the physical connection to the piece I’m working on – annealing, striking the torch, hammering, and then doing it all over again and again.

It’s an incredible thing to share this passion with others from so many different countries and I love the worldwide group of artists I’ve come to know. The process is so time and labor intensive that only others who also do it can fully appreciate the effort. Many other forms of art are less generous in divulging techniques but this group is very generous and happily shares their skill and “know-how.” I am grateful to know them.

One of my biggest challenges has been believing in myself as an artist. For so many years, I referred to myself just as a “wannabe.” It took 18 years, from the time the master blacksmith first encouraged me to go into chasing and repoussé, to the time I was finally able to show him a finished piece. In response, he told me he’d been confident and waiting all that time for me to find myself and figure it out.

My 5th grade “delusion” was to be Michaelangelo II. I’m not attacking 18 ft chunks of marble, but hammering copper is a happy dream come at this later stage of my life. 

I hope my story is an encouragement to others who may be asking themselves, “Is this the time?” or “Is this my passion?” It’s never too late to take the first step. There’s an artist in all of us. Sometimes it just takes a little anneal, strike, and hammer to get there.