began making paper mache birds some time after joining Cornell University’s Back Yard Bird Count (allaboutbirds.org). Sitting in my backyard watching and counting birds inspired me to create a little wire Sparrow and I’ve been making birds ever since.

These bird sculptures are made of wire, paper and glue. The handmade wire frame defines the size and kind of bird. The papers become the decorative feathers, the colors and the personality. Most birds have some found paper accents: hand-written recipes, Italian dictionary pages, postage stamps or sheet music. Some birds are mounted on driftwood.

Making birds keeps me in touch with the earth and sky, rejoicing in nature and her creatures. Having birds in my house makes me smile.