I consider myself a jeweler, but as such I am constantly searching for new and interesting ways for jewelry to interact with the body. Jewelry is a compelling format to work in as it offers the opportunity to directly involve a viewer by the action of wearing the piece of jewelry. I try to make the wearers of my work active participants in the narratives created. By wearing a piece of my jewelry, one can engages in a power struggle between them and the creature rendered or they can become the creature by displaying its characteristics. I look for the preconceived associations we have toward specific animals and I try to subvert or exploit them. The strategic use of materials are key to my methodology. I am curious as to why when the hide is removed from an animal, the hide loses all of the meanings and symbols we prescribe to the said animal. It becomes a commodity with a sudden value determined by supply and demand. I am not trying to critique this system outright. I am more interested in creating new meanings and associations for both the material and the creature rendered.
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