All artists are drawn to certain materials, techniques and themes. This is what defines their art. The shape of a heart appears often in my work. Sometimes it is obviously a heart, a pleasingly versatile shape that holds connotations of love. Other times it's not recognizable, just a line or a shape that starts with a gentle curve then becomes more, well, curvy at one end. Mother of pearl buttons find their way into almost anything that requires embellishments. They read as neutral-white but also have flashes of iridescence. I'm in my happy place, sorting through their variations in size and carved details. Happy Valentine's Day. Spend part of this day in your own happy place.