1) In the first half of your life, you were married and raised three children. You went back to school at 28 to earn a Master’s degree in art therapy. You have always identified as an artist. Tell us what you did after that degree and also how you practiced your own art expression.
Throughout my journey I have balanced my obligations with family and my passion for studying art and psychology. In the stages of my career I founded two businesses—Rosebud Design, a firm specializing in renovating NYC apartments and Bay Gull Bakery, a bagel shop on Nantucket Island. These ventures not only taught my children the value of entrepreneurship but also provided them with support for their college education. While managing these endeavors I pursued my academic goals by earning a Masters degree in Art Therapy and Creative Development from Pratt Institute. This challenging four year program involved hands on experiences in hospitals, outpatient centers and schools catering to students with needs. After working as an art therapist for several years I dedicated two decades to volunteering at a unit. To deepen my understanding of history I took on the role of a docent at the Metropolitan Museum during Thomas Hoving’s time as director.
2) In your forties, you had a major life change. Tell us about that
I separated from my husband, moved to Nantucket permanently and became immersed in the community of artists. This shift allowed me to dedicate myself to sculpture and painting while participating in group exhibitions that funded materials and travel opportunities around the globe. My trips back to New York City gave me the chance to oversee projects related to Rosebud Design even after selling my house and studio in 2016, a turning point that led me to return to New York and enroll at the Art Students League on 57th Street. There, I found joy in creating life sized outdoor public sculptures using metalworking techniques with the guidance of skilled welding instructors.
3) Now you have launched a business called lighthorsedesign.com, a manifestation of your years of welding. It is where sculpture meets innovation through 3D technology with unique lighting features. How did you decide to launch the business and what are your dreams for it moving forward?
A pivotal moment came when my neighbor, Michael Clinton, suggested that I showcase one of my welded chain horses at the Hampton Classic Horse Show. His encouragement prompted me to delve into exploring ways to reproduce sculptures using 3D scanning technology. As a result I found myself traveling to Bangkok to create bronze castings of an original horse head sculpture. The arrival of these intricately patinated pieces marked the beginning of Lighthorse Design, a venture focused on crafting lighting fixtures specifically for horse enthusiasts around the globe. By utilizing advanced techniques like 3D scanning in product development I aim not for successful distribution but also for designing visually appealing pieces that resonate with communities.
