Artist Statement

In my work, carving is a slow and thought provoking process and requires the removal rather than the application of material. I work with soapstone, alabaster, wood and metal.  I begin my pieces from sketches and make smaller clay models.  I then search for the raw stone by visualizing my model, which might lie within a particular stone.  In a group of raw stones, the right one will pop out at me.  I often can visualize the subject as it comes out of the stone.  My piece begins to take form throughout the carving process primarily from my clay models, however by allowing the stone to guide and steer me, to make the necessary changes in a subtle and subconscious way from day to day.

Nature and Armenian miniatures influence my work.  Most of all I infuse my inner thoughts and emotions in my pieces.  I work with abstracting different shapes or elements out of life. I try to minimize the use of power tools depending on the size of the project. In this way, the carving subtleties that come directly from my hands are more apparent in the sculpture.  I try to maintain as much tactile contact with the stone as possible.