Masks

The palm frond is a fascinating free art material. During my visits to South Florida in the wintertime I go on a collection hike for palm frond suitable to mask making. During a clean-up after hurricane Wilma with many palm fronds all over the ground, I could not help but see faces of all shapes and color. The organic natural contour of the frond inspires me to see tribal images, animal faces, earth spirits, demonic expressions, healing and uplifting imagery. I use fronds from the coconut and the queen palm, but also barks from oaks and birch.

I love finding fronds with 'wings' that usually comes from the coconut palm tree. Harder to find in good condition, I love to spread and dry the wings before transforming the piece into a butterfly, an elephant or a fairy.