I have a certificate in Better Materials and Sustainable Building from The New School, Parson’s School of Design. I am passionate about teaching a sustainable design course at the University of Iowa. It gives my life so much purpose to help educate our beginning designers and engineers about important choices they make when being set out into the world.

I have been Eco focused for a long time now. I had a grandpa who had an inspiring respect for nature, and time, and awe. I feel I was lucky to be able to spend most of the 1990’s focused on natural learning. Stemming from this I owned an herbal dispensary for a while, mixing herbs and teas to make ‘constitutionals’. My eyes are open to the importance of reverence for the natural world.

Being a firm believer in using scrap, found, recycled, and sustainable materials and processes guides my work. Much of my earliest work from the 1990’s relied heavily on natural fibers such as coconut fibers and goat hair, for example. For a time, I had not worried about a spray can here or there or new vinyl, etc. Then, I began to feel so sick from the thought of creating in any way that taxed the earth. It felt so vain to me. Why would I contribute to excess and waste?

I had stopped building for while until I came to realize that I cannot be happy unless I am creating in some way. I have vowed to use the most sustainable practices and materials I can for any individual project. My goals are always scrap, recycled or plant based plastics, compostable, or biodegradable materials. Connections are made with natural, biodegradable adhesives, or metal connectors. Each project requiring new research and care.

Some of he objects before this dedication are still on this site. I have left them here for portfolio purposes and am workshopping new ways to approach them or letting them go.