Form of Inspiration

I don’t have a single source of inspiration for my work but the two major influences I do have are Joseph Cornell and Louise Nevelson. I have mentioned them briefly in past entries. Like Joseph Cornell, I use a combination of unexpected elements to create a unified object but unlike the surreal worlds he creates, my work is less other-worldly — more sculptural than surreal. I also try to avoid the use of collage.

For pure design inspiration, however, it is Louise Nevelson that inspires me (see above). Relying on only form, her work is characteristically monochromatic. Letting the parts speak for themselves without the aid of color to make a coherent whole. I depend on color in my pieces. I work with the color contrasts. I am not sure that I could work in a palette that is more minimal then dark wood and brass that I typically use but her work does speak to me. The natural elements and their tones that I use is so important to my work. Sometimes I do wish to try a monochromatic direction but it seems that my ingredients just don’t want to not lose their color.