My work has evolved over the years, yet continues to involve the investigation into the importance of materials and how the representations of a specific material can communicate with the viewer.  From 2006-2007, my prints, sculptures and paintings all formed from the idea of protection or, more importantly, the illusion of protection.  Silk was a main material utilized in my artwork.  This delicate fabric ironically was used in the 19th century to create one of the first bullet-proof vests.  Around 2008 I began producing seemingly familiar objects comprised of steel wool that resembled various Disney princess costume dresses and lavish wedding veils.  The recognizability of the item creates an automatic relationship with the viewer.  Because the object is viewed in an unfamiliar context, its meaning is open to questions.  The representational articles of clothing produced a densely coded system of psychological, sexual, and cultural messages and became a surrogate for the female body.  It was my intention, by preventing the actual physical body from appearing, that the female body not be exploited.
 
The domestic relevance of the tactile discomfort of the steel wool was transformed when the copper wool was introduced.  The presence of the body soon became less obvious in the installation entitled 28 Vessels, made of copper and brass wool.  The copper wool, associated with the act of cleaning provoked me to consider the ideas of cleansing and purity in the relationship to both water and the female cycle.  This development proceeded into my current explorations of rituals, the ideas of purity associated with morality, the struggles between truth and fantasy, and the fine line between beliefs and denial.
 
Metaphorically, to expose the contradictions and human myths of purity, I have been collecting holy water in a scientific framework directly from the fonts of Catholic churches.  (To this day holy water is still blessed by clergy and utilized in various church rituals to cleanse and purify the participant.)  Using test strips, I then record and document the level of 15 contaminants found in the water.  The exposure of what is physically contained in the water, beyond the water itself, locates where a certain authenticity resides. 
 
Since I have a Catholic background, It is important to respectfully acknowledge my past and recognize the specific place from  which the water originated from.  Each shelf, where the bottled water rests, resembles the architectural elements and materials of the church where the water came from.  The work must appreciate both the religious and scientific aspects to create a perplexing balance all viewers can collectively appreciate.
 
I value the work of Alfredo Jaar and Michael Rakowitz and their ability to make artwork within the public realm.  An element of their work demonstrates the understanding of Art and human existence.  The Arcades Project by Walter Benjamin makes references to the interconnectedness of art, pop culture, fashion, politics, religion, and history, which continues to have an underlying affect on my concepts as an artist.