Contemporary Petroglyphs

These last two months we’ve gotten some traction!

First, we became members of Made in NYC, a nonprofit initiative that supports local New York creators.

We got our first consignment with a shop called The WonderMart in Greenpoint where 12 ceramic works are being featured. Be sure to stop by! In May they will be at Perri’s (owner of The WonderMart) booth for Made in NYC week.

The ceramic piece “Sketches of Morris” is featured in Blue Line Art’s ceramic showcase “Off Center 2025” in Roseville, CA. If anyone is out in Cali to escape the cold, check it out and feel free to send me some photos!

In April, I’m hosting a series of printmaking workshops for Earth Day. This will take place April 26, unless it rains, in Hallowell, Maine. I am also hosting paper and printmaking workshops on May 3, in Rockaway, Queens.

All exciting things! The ceramic petroglyphs are starting to sell and people are taking more interest in the work.

Lately… we’ve turned toward social media. I’ve started making videos for Instagram and Tik Tok which has been quite scary, but rewarding thus far. It is exciting putting myself out there and getting any kind of interest in the work.

Someone commented on a recent video and said “What are the ethics of this when the standard is ‘leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures.'”

This brings up an important question. Many have had a polarizing reaction to the work, and there is no correct response to have. Some consider it to be a form of graffiti. Others find the work beautiful. Some simply don’t understand, and others are touched on a deep level. To me, this is the point of art.

I am working to make something comprehensive, something that withstands the test of time, but permanence is not always comfortable. If a viewer has an adverse reaction to the permanent quality of the work, I invite them to examine their lasting effect on nature and the planet.

I strive to create a time capsule, to create images of species and items that may not always be there.

I am interested in every reaction to the art, as this is a part of the work itself.

2025 has brought an exploration I never thought I’d embark on  – I’m beginning to make videos. It is quite terrifying and I feel very awkward but I want to be more forthcoming, and share myself in my most open and vulnerable ways. In some senses, this feels like the only way we can fight the troubling times we live in. To connect with each other is the only saving grace we have. 

Therefore… I’m on all social media platforms now! Instagram, Tik Tok and Youtube! Check out these new short form videos we’ve been making and stay tuned for more.

Join and stay tuned as I explore this new medium and put myself out there in a way I never have before!

With each ceramic comes one of three types of hanging structures, all dependent on how the relief was created and what best fits it’s needs.

The first uses a 16 Ga. Aluminum wire which runs through a small hole on either side of the tile. It is then secured with a twist and tucks away behind the upper ledge.

The second accommodation makes use of a metal picture hanger. Using springs, it securely attaches to the edges of the tile and offers options for placement. Some of these are slightly visible from the front.

The third accommodation is molded into the tile. It takes on slightly different shapes with each one, but generally consists of an open-ledge square or series of circles which are made for a nail.

 

Here is a curated collection of my recent ceramic creations, each paired with its intricate petroglyph, all hailing from the serene shores of Phippsburg, Maine. As I have carefully cataloged these tiles, a deep and newfound appreciation has blossomed within me—one that celebrates the myriad forms and finishes they take on, the rich impressions left by the boulders, and the boundless possibilities they offer. Each piece tells a story, a testament to the quiet beauty and infinite potential that lies in the delicate dance between clay, carving, and time.

   

This Maine Craft Weekend, I had the joy of sharing a project that’s close to my heart, thanks to the support of the Maine Craft Association. I showcased ceramic tiles crafted from molds of the petroglyphs in Maine. It was satisfying to be able to look at the tiles next to the carvings, as I imagine it will be for you as well.

And my personal favorite of course….

More to come and figuring out places to set up shop and sell the tiles.

Thanks to the Maine Craft Association, this weekend became more than just a showcase—it was a true community celebration. I’m deeply grateful for everyone who joined me in honoring these petroglyphs and discovering new ways to celebrate our creative heritage. Here’s to more projects that bring history to life and art to the people!

In Rockaway there is a second rock I have yet to discuss in the blog streams. It is sponsored by RISE Rockaway. It was commissioned to honor a neighborhood resident Barbara Hillary, an arctic explorer who was the first Black woman to reach the North Pole.  Later she also explored the South Pole.

The rock depicts Barbara Hillary and some of her arctic companions, creating a 360 impression of the poles. Her story is an inspiring one as she is a person who achieved a lot during her life, not only in terms of her explorations but she was also a nurse, publisher, and twice cancer survivor. She was a completely unstoppable woman and her likeness is preserved on this rock forever, along with her inspiring polar bear photography.

As artists, there are some pieces we create that feel deeply personal, almost too intimate to share with the world. These works may hold emotions, memories, or thoughts we’d rather keep to ourselves. Yet, sharing these vulnerable pieces can be incredibly rewarding.

When we share the art we want to hold back, it invites connection. Viewers may resonate with the piece in ways we never anticipated, seeing their own stories or emotions reflected in the work. This creates a shared experience, turning something deeply personal into something universal.

Moreover, sharing what feels private often sparks growth. It challenges us to step outside our comfort zones, encouraging us to trust others with our inner world. This openness can lead to fresh insights, new collaborations, and feedback that enriches both the art and the artist.

Therefore I’m sharing these carvings I often keep to myself. Deep in the forrest in Maine I’ve done a series of circle carvings, an expression that is deeply personal to me and is something I’ve been carving alongside more digestible designs for years.