I have been designing and playing with different media since very young, and as a multi interest artist I felt I could gather all my interests together in the art of installation and performance. I have been making sculptural costumes and mixed media installations most of my life. When I moved to Portland Oregon and about to have my second child I met a Japanese glass artist, Kurumi Ishikawa, through our parallel pregnancies. As my child turned 3 I thought it would be great fun to have him play with color glass and make his own pieces which proofed to be a great inspiration to both of us.

 

Eventually my child moved onto different explorations but I remained passionate about fused glass. Entering the world of fused glass influenced my costume design and my use of lighting on stage and in my concept of space for installations. At the same time my glass is influenced by the materials I use for my costumes, stage sets and installations. Even on stage, I consider my approach primarily as a visual artist.

Both my husband and I are artists, so the children have always been brought up in a creative environment and have become a source of inspiration for us, at the same time as a challenge!

 

The biggest challenge has been sustaining the children in the school system which seems to go against our creative endeavors as a family that makes its living from being professional artists.

Nevertheless, our children always have participated in our creations and offer commentary worthwhile listening to.

As far as practical living, yes, art and daily transactions are a juggling act and probably more compartmentalized by having children than if we did not have them, but the results would then be different and we have no way of knowing. Life can be chaotic and has to be flexible, that's how our art also becomes very unique.