I believe the world is a beautiful place

And I believe enhancing and enjoying that beauty is one of the keys to a happy life.

I have been involved in the visual arts since I can remember. As a child I would draw outfits for my dolls and reconfigure their clothing to achieve my designs. I had a small notebook that I kept tucked in my schoolbooks and when I was finished my work I was always drawing out new ideas.

I picked flowers from our neighbor’s garden when I was about five years old. When my mother marched me over to apologize our neighbor asked why I had taken her flowers. I answered because they were beautiful. That answer got me access to her garden and her help in starting my own garden. I have been growing flowers wherever I could ever since.

My mother and I were constantly rearranging the furniture in our house to correspond to the seasons and various holidays My father would good-naturedly re-hang the paintings we decided to move and help us move the heaviest pieces when he arrived home from work.

As an adult, I went out to California where I discovered my knack for decorating gave me an entry to film and the world of set decorating. Coming back to the East Coast I didn’t think those skills would help me but I landed at Pottery Barn and Michaels where I am still using my design acumen to contribute to a more beautiful world.

Set Decoration

Set decorating for film and television is the most rewarding work I’ve ever done. It is also the most challenging. From the first time you read a script to the last truck that returns everything to the prop-house you are juggling narrative and design elements with the very real requirements of time, staff and budget. Ideally you have enough time to strike the right balance but in the real day to day world you are making hundreds of micro-decisions you hope maintain the excellence of the film.

From breaking down the script and working with producers and directors to come up with a design ethic, a timeline and a budget, to hiring crew and going on location scouts, to working with vendors to maximize the budget, to choosing the furniture, décor objects, drapery, lighting and exterior plants and furniture, to commissioning signage and specialty props, to scheduling to make sure pickups and deliveries are happening as needed, to actually prepping and dressing the sets for filming – it’s a whirlwind of inspiration, adrenaline and sheer nose to the grindstone doggedness.

I can’t recommend it enough.

Professional Profile

Creative problem solver with ability to achieve results in a variety of situations through identifying goals, mapping out strategies and building cohesive working relationships.
• Management – Hands on manager with highly developed negotiation skills and experience in a myriad of settings. Strong budgeting and scheduling background, emphasizing quick and confident response to changes.
• Team Building – Decisive team leader and facilitator. Actively recruited, hired and created staff training.
• Communication – Inspired communicator with strong presentation and persuasive abilities. Developed productive relationships with clients, vendors and staff at all levels.