Q- Why did you choose to participate in the Art Auction? And what about Wolfe’s Neck is meaningful to you?
A-Well, I think that the Earth needs as many people who are sensitive to it and know how to take care of it and love it. And I see that you are, if not helping future farmers, helping people who are going to be very kind to the Earth and know a lot about what the Earth’s needs are. I love that, that kids start early, and they can tell they’re having a great time whenever I read about it and see the pictures. I just like the mission of raising things carefully and having animals that are organic. I think that that mission of caring for the animals that you’re raising, too, is really important.
Q- What inspires you?
A-Birds! I’ve always loved birds, and my father was a great bird watcher. We always had bird feeders going all over the place and I had done painting for quite a few years, and I wanted to do something more 3D and I’ve always wanted to make something more with my hands. I went to an opening at a studio right above Bath and there was a man there who did carve beautiful marine mammals- mostly whales, otters, and seals.
I knew that seeing that, as much as I appreciated them, I really wanted to do birds. You can do them in such a variety of ways- wings down, out, flying. I just love birds! I think they add such a great dynamic to everybody’s lives.
Once I got started, I took some lessons up in Bath by a man named Wayne Robbins, who’s a wonderful carver. And after I took many sessions from him, maybe four or five, six week sessions, I said, you know, I think I can go home and make a lot of mistakes and learn that way. So, I did just that. I began to work in my husband’s shop. And then we decided to buy this house so our kids would have a place to come and stay. And my husband always wanted a barn. So, we decided the last minute we would add a barn. I’m so glad we did.
Tom Moser is a good friend and he’s been very generous about letting me have a lot of scrap. I get my cherry and my walnut from him. He’s super generous about it and sometimes he delivers it too. It’s as organic for me as working in my garden and getting my hands in dirt and that’s I love the whole process. Taking a block of wood, figuring out a pattern, and all the details.
Q- Do you have a favorite bird that you’ve made?
A-I love the crows that I’ve carved- they’re my favorite.
Q- What role do you see your art playing in the world?
A-Well, I think that many people would tell you who either paint pictures of birds or who sculpt birds or carve birds that it has a lot to do with helping preserve birds in the wild. It brings attention to the fact that birds are being decimated by the cat population. So, I think that it really helps in preservation. I think a lot of art does that. It makes you feel differently about social issues or the physical world. You can paint something that makes you cry because it’s been so horribly ruined and maybe bring some attention to something. And I’m not a crusader, but I like the fact that lots of other people like birds, too.
Q- Is this your first time participating in this art auction?
A-No, I did it first as a painter.
Q- What’s something you enjoy about Wolfe’s Neck Center?
A-I love the physical environment; I think it’s just fabulous. I love the fact that it’s not developed, but will never be developed. You have the campground, which works perfectly, which is on the periphery, which works great with how the land is used.
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