A camera obscura, literally meaning "dark room", can consist of any dark chamber, such as a box or room, with a small opening. The opening, or hole, allows a small amount of light to enter. Light from the subject matter outside the chamber travels through the room and appears as an inverted image on the opposite wall.

Historically, artists as well as scientists have used the camera obscura as a tool to explore optics, movement and measurement. Since the Renaissance, significant artists such as Brunelleschi (1377-1446), da Vinci (1452-1519), Durer (1471-1528), and Raphael (1483-1520), have used the camera obscura to increase their understanding about the mechanics of perception and the two-dimensional depiction of the three-dimensional world.

My work is based on these early scientific experiments and the further exploration of these ideas in a fine arts context. The integration of small-scale metalwork and photography provides me with a medium in which I am able to experiment in a similar fashion as these early scientists and artists. By creating an instrument, using it, and examining the results, I have a greater understanding about the world in which I live.

Education
2003 MFA, Metals/Jewelry, School of Art, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
2002 Ambrotype Workshop, Alchemy Fine Art Workshops, Phoenix, AZ
2001 Summer Study Abroad Program, Arizona State University, Florence, Italy
2000 Teacher Certification, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
1998 Study Abroad Program, University of Georgia-Athens, Cortona-Italy
1998 BS- Studio Art, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Grants/ Awards
2002-2003 Graduate Research Grant, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
2002 First Place Award, 3M Innovative Tool Competition (Society of North American
Goldsmiths), Center for the Visual Arts at Metropolitan State College, Denver, CO
2000 Graduate Tuition Scholarship, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Teaching Experience
2001-2003 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Teacher of Record, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
2001-2003 Metalsmithing-Artist/Educator, Tempe Community Center, Tempe, AZ
2000 Student Teacher, Memorial High School, Madison, WI
Selected Exhibitions
2002 Portable Camera Obscura, Group show at Eyelounge Contemporary Artspace, Phoenix, AZ
2002 Fugitive to Light, Metalwork in collaboration with Photography by J.Hajicek & C. Panaro-Smith, Burton Barr Central Library, Phoenix, AZ
2002 Annual MFA Summer Exhibition, Harry Wood Gallery, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
2000 24th Annual Contemporary Crafts Show, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ
1998-1999 International Art Exhibition; traveling from Cortona, Italy to Athens, Georgia
Selected Publications
2002 Metalsmith Magazine, Fall Vol.2, Number 5
Memberships
1998-99, 2002-2003 Society of North American Goldsmiths