plastic planes and iconography

 While visiting France in 2010, I sat for hours in various Roman Catholic Churches in numerous cities.  I recall the damp atmosphere of prayer and quietness soaking into my soul.  Transfixed by the marvelous achievements of the artists within this context, I was swept up emotionally into the stories I saw in the paintings, architecture, and sculptures.  I knew that I would use these encounters in my work eventually, though I couldn’t see how at the time.  Prior to France, I had been working with the paper airplane as a symbol for me of freedom.  After my return to California, I gravitated without intention toward visions of the iconic images I’d seen in France juxtaposed with paper airplanes.  I created many sketches of “Hallowed”, and felt uneasy with the two ideas put together.  I also had to overcome my insecurities about being derivative.  As I worked to overcome these barriers internally and through making the sculptures, I experienced a quietness return to me as “Hallowed”, “Strength and Song”, and “Jubilee” came to be.