This work is part of an exhibition, titled The End is Near at Oats Park Art Center, April 9 -June 18, 2022.

As I was working on this show, that had been postponed because of the pandemic, I noticed many dead birds around the small town where I live in Tuscarora, NV. I used this disturbing phenomenon as thematic material for ceramic sculptures of falling birds. Developing a technique where I pressed clay coils into a texture mold taken from old wood, I made the birds look as if they are composed of dried twigs. The falling birds took on a scorched and devastated look, while maintaining the dignity of wild creatures. Owls and the night sky are part of the landscape of this exhibition and are a reflection of the high desert environment.

The desert of often considered an empty place, subject to the abuse of mining, ranching and trash dumping. In all of my work, I am trying to bring attention to the rich life and delicate environment of the desert that should be protected .