Art for me is a spiritual journey. My muse is Nature-a never ending parade of beauty and aesthetic meaning. I really love the Earth, the seasons, and the edges of the day--sunrise and sunset. I have always vacationed in the desert and this high desert was just the place to settle after retirement. It is a re-visitation of my childhood when the parents would take us camping in Anza-Borrego in Southern California, near the Salton Sea. My mother and I loved painting the desert-it had spiritual meanings for us; eternally enduring. The desert makes the most of all resources available and is beautiful in spite of its limitations. This is what I try to do in my own life and why I am here in New Mexico.

I earned my BFA in Sculpture, minor in ceramics--/actually Fiber Arts from University of Alaska at Anchorage. I had dabbled in many forms of art my whole life especially 3-D with basket making and weaving. I taught High School art and so my dabbling had a purpose. All the different kinds and techniques were valid for teaching and I used them to inspire my students.

In 2012 I retired from teaching and came to New Mexico to be with my daughter who is an artist as well. All my sculptural training was transferred to Fiber Art because it is what I knew best. New Mexico offers a variety of materials to use in creative endeavors, so very exciting. For many years I have collected native materials for basket making and sculpture. Utilization of native materials ­ wherever I have lived-is my basic creative motivation. In making baskets, the intended usage is the most concern. The need for the basket will determine size, shape and materials needed, plus method of construction.

Email: cyclododie@gmail.com