Wherever possible I strive to purchase absolutely no new materials for the creation of my art.
It is deeply meaningful to me to dig deep into my capacity for innovation to create these creatures from purely what I have been able to find at thrift stores, in my garden (as in the case of the chicken wire understructures), or been gifted by the many generous souls who knew I was creating dragons and sought out materials for me that evoked magic to them.
The main exception to this intention are the ceramic pieces you see integrated into these designs. I handcrafted all the horns, teeth, claws, and eyes as custom beads in The Dairy Barn Arts Center’s ceramic studio.
I wanted these pieces to be wholly unique and not something that could be bought new anywhere in the world, and for me, the playing with clay to create these was a spiritual process.
Every one of these ceramic pieces I sculpted individually and then fired on furniture I custom-made to support them in their journey through the kiln.
I find myself often inspired by existing garments. To me, sequins and beads look like dragon scales. This ornate beaded shawl became my piece, “Grounding into Magic.”
To create this piece I overlaid discarded chicken wire and steel coat hangers with t-shirt material, then built a skin on top from a plain unwanted grey poly-cotton blend fabric, and incorporated my bespoke ceramic accents. Then I sewed the shawl together before finally cutting it apart and appliquéing it in pieces to ornament the dragon with her magic.
Photo credit: Ryan LaFever
