Art making is a way for me to explore the connections between past and present, between opposing forces of nature, and between the intellect and the subconscious world. My primary material is clay, because it encourages exploration in the moment and reflection on the process. In the making of Collapse, my intention for the work shifted in response to cracks in the clay. The cracks, fissures, and scars occur unintentionally as I manipulate the clay while musing about opposing forces. The colors I use come primarily from rocks, leaves, and other bits of nature I collect and study. I often fill cracks with dark tones for a sense of age. I intend for each work to expose the evidence of its own history, much as people reveal an accumulation of their experiences.