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As a child I recall a painting of an abstract figure hanging on the wall in my grandparents' house. It was painted by my father's cousin and was given to my grandmother as a gift. This painting's departure from realism was a frequent topic of discussion among the adults in the family. I learned early how stimulating and controversial art could be.

Upon graduating from art school I worked as a sculptor making colorfully painted abstract works out of Styrofoam. These nonrepresentational works left me with a longing to express the ideas that define me; consequently I created a series of expressive female figures made from paper pulp, wire and steel. In addition, I produced large mixed media architectural pieces, which reflected the gender issues of the day.

In the winter of 1994 after I had been making sculpture for more than ten years, my studio was abandoned and left unheated by my landlord. I retreated into the basement of my house to paint with oils. My painting evolved directly from my sculpture. Long held ideas were coming to fruition on the canvas.

I began with the figure in abstract spaces and then cows in incongruous settings. The bovine image is everywhere in central New York. As a student I was introduced to cows in drawing class when a skull was incorporated into a still life. For me, the cow's complex shape holds both a fascination and a challenge.

Several years after I started to paint, I saw a show of Magritte's work. The contradiction his imagery produced intrigued me. I liked this in my own work but it happened subconsciously. I returned to my studio to focus on exploring this theme which resulted in a series of paintings using the cow as a metaphor.

I now ambulate between human and animal forms. My imagery comes from direct observation, photos, magazines, and mental pictures. I paint a collage of ideas sowing humor, irony, and allegory. Much of my work is a reflection on contemporary issues. These paintings are conceptual and surreal, portraying tension and relationships. I suspend belief, pose questions, and create implausibility.