The art making process allows me to speak of unspeakable things, give a voice to the voiceless, and provide a sense hope and healing for the viewer. 

Childhood abuse and trauma thrive in silence and secrecy. Timeworn adages for acceptable behavior in our society demonstrate the social construct for silence: 
•    Silence is golden. 
•    Children should be seen and not heard. 
•    See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.
•    If you don't have anything good to say, don't say it at all.

I was sexually abused by my maternal grandfather for over a decade as a child. Childhood sexual abuse makes verbalization very difficult. I lived in that space of silence for many years. I have discovered that images have a way of expressing emotions and memories in a safe and meaningful way. 

Bringing this “visual language” to a gallery setting is my form of social protest against the silence that enables abuse to continue and a means of raising awareness. At times it seems that talking about incest and sexual abuse is a greater societal taboo than the abusive acts themselves. 

Creating paintings, ceramics, sculptures, and teaching Healing Art Process classes, allows me to heal and share this healing with others.