Statement

When Joy Feuer explained her vision for the Art from the ashes project in 2008, I knew I had to be on board.  Her not for profit dreamchild involves scavenging rubble from targeted sites devastated by wildfire in California and sending it to participating artists.  These artists transform the rubble into artwork that is then sold at auction.  Proceeds from the sale are then given to a charity chosen by those who were affected at the fire site and help support the Art from the ashes mission.

Art from the ashes parallels my mission to uplift society from its current ills by making beauty out of devastation.  It also challenges me to use new materials and apply them to my current methods of art making.  Perhaps the greatest benefit to me in being a participant is to, in some small way, effect a positive change for someone, somewhere in the world who is affected by tragedy.  Having experienced a sense of utter uselessness during the attacks of September 11, the tsunamis in Indonesia and Japan, Hurricane Katrina, the earthquakes in China, Haiti, and Japan, I can finally be a part of a solution to a problem instead of an anguished spectator.

AFTA projects I have done to date:
Cisco Home 2008, Pasadena, CA
Deukmejian Wilderness Park, 2010, Glendale, CA

For more information go to:
www.artfromtheashes.org

Phoenix Rising
2008
Glass, metal
12" x 12"
Fused glass with wire glass fragments, salvaged glass, metal fasteners and metal upholstery staples from the Cisco Brothers Furniture Factory fire, Los Angeles, CA.
I Swam Too Close to the Sun
2008
Glass, metal
17.5” h x 31.5” w x 6.5” d
Glass fragments and wire glass from the Cisco Brothers Furniture Factory fire, Los Angeles, CA with Murano glass and brass filings additions.
Flotsam and Jetsam
2008
Glass, metal
17.5” h x 31.5” w x 6.5” d
Wire glass from the Cisco Brothers Furniture Factory fire, Los Angeles, CA with Murano glass additions.
Zen Tray
2008
Glass, metal
12" x 12"
Fused glass with metal leaf and upholstery staples from the Cisco Brothers Furniture Factory fire, Los Angeles, CA.
Wavelengths
2008
Glass, metal
12" x 12"
Fused glass and metal leaf with metal brackets from the Cisco Brothers Furniture Factory fire, Los Angeles, CA.
Inca Bowl
2008
Clay, metal, glass, acrylic
3.25” h x 5.5” w x .25” thick
Air dry clay with acrylic and glass chips, and metal fasteners from the Cisco Brothers Furniture Factory fire, Los Angeles, CA.
Nimbus Ninnies
2008
Glass, metal
10” x 10” x 1/8” thick
Fused glass with wire glass fragments and metal upholstery fasteners from the Cisco Brothers Furniture factory fire, Los Angeles, CA.
Drama Kings
2008
Glass, metal
10”h x 10” w x 1/8” thick
Fused glass with wire glass fragments and metal upholstery staples and fasteners from the Cisco Brothers Furniture factory fire.
Snakebit
2008
Metal
3.5” h x 17.5” w x 4” d
Metal scavenged from the Cisco Brothers Furniture factory fire, Los Angeles, California.