ART & DESIGN - How we define who we are and what drives our inspiration to create.

When I'm introduced by others they often describe me as “an artist who designs light fixtures.” And while that sounds lovely, I have sometimes felt a bit disconnected in those moments.

Curiosity has helped me to have a better understanding of who I am and what I do. What I needed to find were the words that would explain what I do that felt authentic to me, that made sense to me.  A name or a label isn’t just about identity, it can be a bridge. It invites people into your world and gives them a sense of what to expect.

I’ve come to understand that if design captures our attention, and art draws us in and holds us there, the meeting point between the two is our personal experience. That experience of seeing, feeling, and interacting with a piece of art, can help define its form, its function, and its meaning. It allows us the opportunity to experience feelings of inspiration, joy, anger or sadness. These feelings are what artists create from. How we react to an experience is personal.

Being able to communicate an idea to my clients and then turn that idea into a custom light fixture that they will love is what I strive for. 

That's it, what I creatively do and why I do it is all about art and design. I can honestly share that I'm an artist who designs custom and limited-edition light fixtures. I can see how this honors the artistry behind each piece I create, while also acknowledging the intentional design work that shapes each fixture. It’s in that in-between space, where art and design meet, that I feel most at home. So the next time someone introduces me as an artist who designs light fixtures, I’ll be able to smile and confidently say, thank you.

Photo Courtesy of Ted Elmore