I began my adult worklife as a welder. I went to University of North Dakota’s one-year welding program, after being mentored in my early teens by being offered out as a welder’s helper. I was fascinated by and eager to work with metal. In High School I took two shop  classes for welding, and found that the eye/hand coordination needed to be a good welder was native to me. After High School, I was nudged into UND by my spritual Mother, seeing as how I was otherwise a mediocre student at best, and my work prospects amounted to mowing lawns, and dishwashing. Over the next ten years I did welding work for a Housemoving company, a Concrete company, and later I worked in a shop making wrought iron – railings, fences, decorative objects. I have made Garden Art, a replica of the Titanic out of scrap( a photograph of which was in the town newspaper), and tons of small projects and artsy pieces. Since my mid-twenties, however, I sought other ways to both express myself and make a living, and moving away from being a career welder became a necessity as the work is dangerous, loud, and sometimes monotonous.

Besides welding, I have taken up wood-carving. I am endlessly fascinated with the ancient, sinuous designs of the Celts, amd have carved several pieces of decorative woodwork shown here. I also have a friend who tutored me in the art of many ancient cultures, and we shared a favorite – the art of Egypt. The carved box is an image of the goddess Isis.

The Box of Isis

Detail of the wing

Celtic design carvings:

From pattern....

To finished carving.

A Celtic Cross

One of my favorite events of the year is Halloween. Each year I gather as many victims together as I can and browbeat them into carving Jack O’Lanterns. Examples below.

 It is also big fun to make Halloween costumes for myself and friends. I do not sew, but am  demon with a glue gun! I have had others do the actual sewing when need, but the beadwork, the designs and the makeup are what I get into.