Q: What makes you want to create?
A: To learn. I think it’s fun to learn something new. I have accepted that I’m not going to be perfect and that’s okay.
Q: What kind of impact do you think art can have?
A: In order to have peace, understanding, compassion and respect for differences, I believe it can be done through the arts. That’s how we can hopefully bring some type of peace into the world.
Q: How long have you been teaching?
A: I have taught for over 20 years and I have taught everyone up from pre-k.
Q: Why do you collect so many materials?
A: I like to believe that the more things we have, the more things that my students can see that you can make art out of just about anything.
Q: What kinds of materials do you prefer to create art with?
A: I mostly like working with my hands. I do metal smithing and jewelry making, embroidery and I have a pottery wheel at home because I just love working with clay.
Q: Why do you like using these materials to create art?
A: I love doing embroidery. I think part of that comes from my grandmother. She always did embroidery, and she learned it from her relatives that came over from Ireland.
Q: What is a goal you have for yourself as an art teacher?
A: My goal is to hopefully inspire my students and for [my students] to get better in what [they] do and enjoy it.
Q: What is one thing you would tell students when creating art?
A: Art should be finished, not perfect, and to just have fun!
