I have a bachelors and masters degree in fine arts with an emphasis in metals and jewelry. I attended the University of Texas at Austin for my undergraduate degree, studying with Thelma Coles. I studied with renowned metalsmith and enamelist Harlan Butt for my graduate degree at the University of North Texas in Denton.

After graduate school, I was hired as Artist in Residence in Metals at the Appalachian Center for Crafts in Smithville, TN. I assisted the professor, Bob Coogan, in the upkeep of the studio and helped students with their projects. In addition, I taught metals workshops in my specialties: fabrication, enameling and chainmaking. In 1997, I also began teaching art history, one of my passions, at a local community college and working on my own jewelry lines and one of a kind pieces in my home studio. Workshops, involvement in TACA, the Tennessee Association of Craft Artists, teaching and running my own studio kept me very busy.

In 2002, I went back to school to pursue another of my passions: computer arts and animation. I found a small college in Tempe, AZ that suited my needs and moved to the Valley of the Sun. After completing an associates degree in computer arts, I returned to metals as the Artist in Residence at the Phoenix Center for the Arts where I taught adult workshops in metals and jewelry for three very rewarding years. As soon as I finished my tenure at the Phoenix Center, I was fortunate to be offered a residency in Metals at the Mesa Arts Center, where I currently have my studio.

I consider myself an artist working in the medium of metals; the format of jewelry. I strive to make unique, beautiful, perfectly crafted wearable art. I am heavily influenced by the perfection of Ingres' line and brushwork, Asian metals and textiles, 17th C Dutch still lifes, 19th C Romanticism and Symbolism, 20th C Surrealism and Dada, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and the Arts and Crafts Movement of the late 19th/ early 20th Centuries. All of these influences have an elegance or conceptual basis which informs my personal aesthetic. I also find endless inspiration in nature, especially the landscape of the desert Southwest.

When not teaching, working in the studio, on the computer or spending time with my wonderful husband and stepson, I like to get out into the mountains and hike or sit in front of a good movie (or PBS) designing in my sketchbook or knitting. I carry a camera with me wherever I go and frequently have it in front of my face or someone else's. Alternately, I head for the local museums and botanical gardens. I can sometimes be found playing pool quite badly or out with friends making a good-natured ruckus talking art or geeking out about computer programs. I am an avid runner and practice Tai Chi and yoga for relaxation. My schedule has prevented me from running within the last year but I am looking forward to having a much more reasonable schedule in 2008. In December 2005 I lost my cat Buddy who was my constant and faithful companion for 13 wonderful years. I still miss him and sometimes wake in the morning to the impression that he's been walking across me. I know I will take in another rescue kitty when the time is right but for now I have a behemoth of a step-dog who is very glad he's getting my undivided attention.

And yes, Jewel is my given name :-)