For the past three years a large part of my self-obsession has been with being a girl. Whether that is by being ultra-feminine in the clothes that I wear (pink lacy tops) or enjoying the occasional offer from someone to carry a box up the stairs. Whichever the case I make my own decisions not only because I’m an individual, but also because I have pride in who I am. Like myself, women today are indulging in the everyday pleasures of being female, finding power and strength through the comfort of being in their own skin. No longer is there a need to follow a patriarchal society in order to feel positive about their “selves”.

My personal interest in fashion and current trends heavily influences the idea and aesthetics of my work. Because I never apologize for my love of superficial objects such as clothing and make-up there is power that I am practicing in being a woman. The power of femininity is a large component of my work, which is communicated through the care that is given in material use and process. My work becomes fetishist through my love for my objects and my need to have my audience love and want them. The neediness for the pieces to be part of the viewer’s lives is derived from the outward beauty and delicacy for the pieces and the viewer’s sudden realization of what it is meant for and how it can be utilized.

My work is about the subtle functionality of my pieces and the above-mentioned realization of the viewer after they are appreciated for their beauty. This series of pieces comes from a recent discovery that I made in regards to not feeling comfortable defending myself with existing weapons i.e. guns, brass knuckles, batons, etc. Many of us have indulged in the fantasy to seek revenge on one who has done as wrong. Finding power to defend one’s life comes from one’s comfort in doing so, which may depend upon environment or available objects. Many women have not been in a position where they have held (much less discharged) a firearm and the idea of doing so can be fairly troubling. Recognizing this, I developed objects that have a reference to cosmetic applicators or tools; items that women are familiar with through handling and use. These pieces also resemble common everyday or military accoutrements: imagery fairly familiar with most people. Each piece has its own function. Some have uses that are associated with the way women tend to fight, such as pulling hair or clawing with their nails. Not only can these pieces function for defense they are also designed with the idea of feminine shapes and accessories, with the intention that they be fashionable to carry around. Through angular shapes and the use of leather, light and auto body painted surfaces the presentation of the pieces speak of make-up counters, vanity tables, and medicine cabinets.

The use of ceramics and metals in conjunction help to emphasis the properties that each possess and to give the pieces a place in a person’s life. The use of clay resembles the chalkiness of blush in its compact and the use of metal can be associated with engraved English silverware that has a history in both weaponry and domesticity. Although the material is to give the pieces a false history there is also the use of contemporary material trends such as glitter and Swarovski crystals that give them a place in the present.