Strings is the fourth in my series War & Peace which juxtaposes the perception of the abilities and intelligence of women in the early 1940s with those of women in the early1950s.

Tools of the Trade is the third in my series War & Peace which juxtaposes the perception of the abilities and intelligence of women in the early 1940s with those of women in the early1950s.

Ivy and Orchids is the second in my series War & Peace which juxtaposes the perception of the abilities and intelligence of women in the early 1940s with those of women in the early1950s.

Code Girls is the first in my series War & Peace which juxtaposes the perception of the abilities and intelligence of women in the early 1940s with those of women in the early1950s.

This assemblage reflects various aspects of a European immigrant’s journey to the United States in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

A metaphor for the interconnectedness of all things on earth. Land and sea merge here through the similarity of colors in a semiprecious stone mined from below the surface of Earth (pink opal) and shells of ocean creatures found on beach walks.

This assemblage depicts one of the many consequences of deforestation — the displacement of those living there. The cutting down of trees in this forest has forced these red foxes to seek shelter elsewhere.

Just as urban gentrification forces long-time inhabitants to move out of their neighborhoods, deforestation forces creatures living in the forest (here, gray wolves) out of their homes, often prompting them to move into urban areas.

Highlighting the plight of refugees worldwide using two Tarot cards.

In contrast to the fluffy, cuddly polar bears designed for children, this representation by Fabergé reflects the animal’s aggressive side.

This fish looks directly at the viewer as it swims above an ocean floor filled with trash. A gentle reminder to protect our fragile seas.

I was inspired to create a series I called Nature vs. Art when I noticed that the color combinations in some of the necklaces I have designed over the years match or blend with combinations found in nature. The burgundy and white striped tulip displayed in the upper left reminded me of a miniature striped Art Deco sofa designed for a dollhouse.

During World War II service members in segregated units fought valiantly on behalf of the United States despite the racism they faced at home and even in the military while fighting and dying for their country. These service members fought for a “Double Victory” over both fascism and racism.

Several years ago, I created a necklace highlighting shades of aqua and cream. Having recently found an antique stylized image of a European fish, I instantly thought of the necklace and was inspired to create a framed sculpture to combine the two along with a range of yellows and blues including gold and light aqua.

The lotus symbolizes rebirth because this striking flower emerges from muddy water.

The storage attic as a metaphor for the mind.

This mixed media work was inspired by the eyes of the model for "Pavonia", an 1859 oil painting by the British artist Frederic Leighton. While the model appears pallid in the original, her eyes convey strength and determination transcending the compliance expected of women at the time. Wondering what she would have looked like had she been painted more vibrantly,

A visual representation of a temporary pause in the creative process.

A reminder of the vigor of nature.

Here, a jumble of marine snails tumbles out of a bathtub onto the bathroom floor. This particular kind of snail (known as an "oyster drill") feeds on oysters. They invade our sustainable oyster farm, feasting on our oysters. I release some of my frustration with these snails by pushing their tendency to invade to an extreme, imagining that the oyster drills have managed to travel through the water pipes into our home. One even finds its way onto the top of a candelabra.

Our minds tend to wander when we perform boring or repetitive tasks. This tailor is so engaged in her daydream that her body is no longer seated at her sewing machine but is instead deep-sea diving.

Conceived in 2020, this assemblage is a metaphor for the disruption and chaos caused by Covid-19 and our inability to control our lives.

Mother Nature keeps an eye on us as she watches over the eggs in the bird’s nest.

In mythology, the phoenix dies by bursting into flames and rises anew from the ashes. Unlike the phoenix, which arises as powerful as before, a person may not return to the identical status, success, or ability as before but, with effort, good fortune and dedication, may still accomplish significant feats.

A startled polar bear poised on an ice floe faces off with a temperate-water whelk moving northward as the ocean waters warm.

The overall theme of the assemblage is immigration, but as I worked on it, the focus narrowed to coming to the United States as a refugee.

This mixed media work playfully revolves around a depiction of Venus in a famous oil painting by the renowned Italian artist Titian. A photograph of a portion of his painting was digitally manipulated to make it appear that Venus is so taken with the necklace displayed nearby that she leans out of her golden frame to get a better look.

Nature provides some magnificent color combinations to camouflage prey, to warn a predator or to attract a pollinator or mate. The similarity of some color combinations in my necklaces to those found in nature inspired me to create my Nature vs. Art series. The first such comparison centers on the painted peacock and an aqua, green and yellow-toned necklace paired in a surrealist street scene.

This surrealist scene gently pokes fun at our tendency to attribute human characteristics to our pets. Here, a lioness carrying her cub strolls through a museum in front of “paintings” (digitally manipulated photographs) of lions “crowned” with necklaces I designed. Fully appreciating the cub's expression requires seeing this up close, making this framed sculpture especially suited for small spaces.

The crib's protective slats contrast sharply with the bars of the nearby birdcage because, however beautifully designed, a birdcage is intended to confine, to limit freedom. Here, the nest represents a loving home environment, while the birdcage — with its door glued open — references both the parental duties of providing roots and wings and resistance to the crib-to-prison cycle entrapping so many young Black males.

Using advertising posters of the Michelin Tire Company from the 1800s and 1900s to represent changes in society during that period.Dollhouse miniatures and digitally manipulated photographs highlight the changes in the image of the “Michelin Man” over the years. Initially frightening, this symbol of the Michelin Tire Company softened over time. To the left of the assemblage, a miniature red chair reminiscent of car tires is paired with an early poster in which the Michelin Man holds a goblet filled with nails and broken glass to highlight the strength of Michelin tires. Juxtaposed on the right is a more modern representation of the Michelin Man paired with a car tire and tools. Red, ochre and black.

Inspired by the stories of victims of sexual abuse emboldened to speak out by the #metoo movement.

A playful commentary on the mutually dependent relationship between a work of art and its viewer. In this mixed media assemblage, artworks hanging in a museum vie for a viewer's attention.

The mental image of a pirate's booty is a chest buried to hide its contents of gold, jewels, and other riches. This assemblage instead represents the moment that treasure fills the trunk.

As humans increasingly encroach on natural habitats, we squeeze out creatures that lived there.

Starting with a realistic miniature of a raven, and with Edgar Allen Poe in mind, I anticipated composing a darker, more sinister piece. But when reading up on ravens, I discovered how playful and intelligent they are and decided to offer a more nuanced view of the bird.

Poking gentle fun at our tendency to attribute human emotions to our pets, this assemblage takes things to an extreme with a dalmatian mother taking her pups to a dog-themed art museum.

Using primarily aquamarine, pale blue, silver, and white, this assemblage underlines the fragility of our oceans and seas.

The dual inspiration for this piece: (1) that foxes and even coyotes now live in our urban neighborhood and (2) light pollution hides the stars in the night sky.