The designs of my work are inspired directly by the dichotomy between soft shapes and hard materials, how the pieces inhabit a domestic space, and the manufactures‚ production processes. The restraints and restrictions of production both limit and inspire the use of the material, and I work within these constraints to create unique and unexpected shapes. Joinery, or the bringing together of two planes, an inherent quality of woodworking that fueled my time at RISD as a Furniture design student. When joined together, the mating shapes create palpable tension, particularly when shaped from hard and unyielding materials such as wood, brass, or ceramic. I use these materials in my work to freeze the moment when soft objects meet- two balloons pushing together, or cheeks being squished. The moment of disunion is frozen and fixed, creating a compelling, and even sensual moment. My wooden furniture pieces explore new and unique finishing techniques that achieve vibrant, rich, semi-opaque color, honoring the underlying wood grain and texture. Manufacturing marks and textures, I believe, are an inherent language to the process that is celebrated in my work through sand cast brass trays and vessels. From personal relationships I have with Rhode Island vendors, to the anticipated use of my designs in the home, my work is human-centric. The intention is that the pieces function efficiently and honor the individual‚ domestic space. The RISD Alumni sale is a compelling opportunity to expand my experience with manufacturers, materials, and techniques that I am familiar with, and wish to approach from a product development mindset. The pieces I will show include the pictured stools, chair, waste basket, tool carrier, tray, sand-cast brass trays, and ceramic vessels. Both the sand cast trays and ceramic vessels are still in development, and will reflect the visual language of my pieces pictured. These are designed to be lower-cost items, and appropriate for the RISD sale.