I sculpt in stone, observing American life and human nature with two parallel and intertwining bodies of work. One offers a visual record of American contemporary culture, while the other focuses on personal trauma and conflict. The “Realism in Stone” series presents opposing aspects of Americans’ exterior and interior lives through culture-laden symbols of American products and emotionally charged political symbols. This exploration is grounded in the abstract sculptures I’ve created since I first put chisel to stone. “Expressions in Stone” are pure abstractions of personal emotions – a deep dive into teenage angst, relationships, marriage, motherhood and life’s challenges. On a universal level, these emotions are symbolic of our struggles as a nation and as individuals who are grappling with the conflicts of daily life. The American Dream in the face of conflict and struggle has connections to our own feelings and experiences