Biography

I was born (1969) and raised in southern California and moved to Louisville, Kentucky when I was 20. While in my 20’s I spent a year and a half at the Findhorn community in Northern Scotland. I took a leap of faith and moved to the mountains of western North Carolina in the winter of 2000. I’ve never regretted my leap and find much of my inspiration in these mountains.

My interest in book arts started in May of 2003 when I took a weekend class with the American Crafts Council, taught by Paulus Berensohn and Meg Peterson at Penland School of Crafts. I then took a two-week summer class at Penland School during the summer of 2004 with Eileen Wallace. I’ve been making books ever since.

I’ve learned several bookbinding techniques (the Long Stitch, the Coptic stitch, Simplified Case Binding), My favorite style is the modified Coptic stitch (or single-needle Coptic stitch), which is what you will find here.

I started keeping a journal in 1978, when I was nine years old, and have kept one ever since. I’ve just completed a 12-week class based on Julia Cameron’s book ‘The Artist’s Way. I love making books that people will use; as journals, photo albums, address books, wedding books, guest books or sketchbooks.

I cover the book boards with paste paper I have created or with purchased handmade paper. I am inspired most by the natural world and by people who practice kindness and compassion.

"There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. If you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost. The world will never have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable it is, nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours, clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than others."