I like to call myself a "Beauty Collector." I've been collecting beautiful objects with storied meanings for over twenty years. Finding Beauty and creating Beauty is my therapy and my obsession. My soul feels at home during the creative process. I've traveled to country after country looking for this home, without finding that deep sense of self, until I started creating with my hands.
Ten years ago, I started painting abstract self-portraits and creating collages out of found objects. I also sourced and sold antique tribal rugs - their patterns and bold colors thrilled me. I kept painting and collaging for a couple of years, driven by the need to express. Then, my world changed when I went to a class at John C Campbell folk school in NC and learned how to make kaleidoscopes. There, I learned to use real, dried flowers on glass. All that color illuminated by the light shining through the glass drove me wild with possibilities! As soon as I returned to NYC, I gathered glass, dried flowers, special effects paint and even encaustic waxes and dove into creating. I painted directly onto the glass, still in the frames. I layered the paints and flowers and other shiny materials onto the canvases. It was an ecstatic emanation of creativity and joy . From there, my art journey really began.
Flower Paintings would be my specialty for many years. Following that, I created a painting/collage series called "Second Flight" featuring real butterfly specimens. I made sure all the specimens came from Eco-Farms. No butterflies died early for art, which was key for me. The lives of butterflies are so ephemeral - two weeks is a long life for a butterfly - I wanted to create magic worlds where they are in permanent "Second Flight" where they could inspire with their unworldly beauty. After my "butterfly period," I turned to making pieces made entirely of glass beads. Again, light shining through colored glass thrilled me and inspired another round of creation.
During this time, I opened a shop in a re-purposed 1800's dairy barn, called "The Sparkle Barn" in Wallingford, Vermont The Sparkle Barn is a happy, colorful place full of wonderful handmade art, crafts and gifts. My beauty collecting is in constant demand here since I am the buyer and curator.
Creativity keeps me alive and well, so, I have indeed created a lot over my years. In addition to painting with various media, I have made lighting by hand and founded "Andarina Designs." back in my NYC days. My expressive journey also delved into writing. I've written a memoir called "Crowning Glory - An Experiment in Self-Discovery Through Disguise" and two short plays "The Portraits of Vivian" and "Ghosting and the Sex Pillow".
When I met my partner, another wave of inspiration and new ways of creating came into my life. Together, we have designed and painted several murals. He also introduced me to graphic design. Making digital collages is now a favorite way of creating.. I also love creating art installations; I just finished "The Magic Garden" for the Sparkle Barn on June, 26th, 2021.
Ten years ago, I started painting abstract self-portraits and creating collages out of found objects. I also sourced and sold antique tribal rugs - their patterns and bold colors thrilled me. I kept painting and collaging for a couple of years, driven by the need to express. Then, my world changed when I went to a class at John C Campbell folk school in NC and learned how to make kaleidoscopes. There, I learned to use real, dried flowers on glass. All that color illuminated by the light shining through the glass drove me wild with possibilities! As soon as I returned to NYC, I gathered glass, dried flowers, special effects paint and even encaustic waxes and dove into creating. I painted directly onto the glass, still in the frames. I layered the paints and flowers and other shiny materials onto the canvases. It was an ecstatic emanation of creativity and joy . From there, my art journey really began.
Flower Paintings would be my specialty for many years. Following that, I created a painting/collage series called "Second Flight" featuring real butterfly specimens. I made sure all the specimens came from Eco-Farms. No butterflies died early for art, which was key for me. The lives of butterflies are so ephemeral - two weeks is a long life for a butterfly - I wanted to create magic worlds where they are in permanent "Second Flight" where they could inspire with their unworldly beauty. After my "butterfly period," I turned to making pieces made entirely of glass beads. Again, light shining through colored glass thrilled me and inspired another round of creation.
During this time, I opened a shop in a re-purposed 1800's dairy barn, called "The Sparkle Barn" in Wallingford, Vermont The Sparkle Barn is a happy, colorful place full of wonderful handmade art, crafts and gifts. My beauty collecting is in constant demand here since I am the buyer and curator.
Creativity keeps me alive and well, so, I have indeed created a lot over my years. In addition to painting with various media, I have made lighting by hand and founded "Andarina Designs." back in my NYC days. My expressive journey also delved into writing. I've written a memoir called "Crowning Glory - An Experiment in Self-Discovery Through Disguise" and two short plays "The Portraits of Vivian" and "Ghosting and the Sex Pillow".
When I met my partner, another wave of inspiration and new ways of creating came into my life. Together, we have designed and painted several murals. He also introduced me to graphic design. Making digital collages is now a favorite way of creating.. I also love creating art installations; I just finished "The Magic Garden" for the Sparkle Barn on June, 26th, 2021.