purpose
On July 29, 2022, my heart broke into two irreparable halves.
Just six weeks shy of her 13th birthday, I lost my twelve-year-old daughter to suicide. She and I saw the world with similar eyes, and she was the spirit that emanated from my heart. As I continue to navigate this unfathomable loss and reconnect with my own inner light, I do so with the conscious intention of honoring her spirit and her legacy.
Iris Marie (Kiki) Grey deserves to be remembered for how she lived as she believed in equality and fairness above all else. She was adamant anyone she associated with did not use slurs of any kind toward any subgroup. Conversations at our dinner table were often heated debates, as my social justice warrior clashed with my more conservative, right-of-center son. I was so proud she had the fortitude to fight for what she knew to be true: All people deserve the same fundamental human rights. Privilege should not be the status quo, and being open to change is necessary for cultural and personal growth.
Like Kiki, I believe time gives us the wisdom to recognize there will always be individuals who do not have a voice, and civil liberties that need protection. She was a pioneer in asserting the rights of those seeking gender affirmation and sexual orientation equality. Kiki championed a woman’s fundamental right to have freedom of choice with respect to their own bodies, independent of government interference. More than anything else, Kiki was an inspired artist who believed personal expression was an integral part of one’s identity.
I have always believed one can transform space with art, and by association the people who move through it. Art inherently creates a dialogue with the viewer; an internal conversation which can be as simple as “I do, or do not, like that.” Taken further, this exchange may cause one to introspect on their current sense of place and well-being. It is through art we give ourselves permission to explore concepts that may otherwise be uncomfortable.
Art has the power to shape how we connect with a place and to one another. By incorporating light, glass, and community-inspired designs, I aim to create environments that illuminate moments of beauty, joy, and reflection for all who visit. Whether it’s the dancing of colors across the floor at sunset or the quiet transformation of a space throughout the day, I want these installations to immerse and interact with those who experience them.
Through a commitment to creating spaces that inspire, comfort, and connect through the thoughtful integration of stained glass and site-responsive design, I hope to offer moments of beauty that uplift the spirit and transform the everyday into the unforgettable.
Make today awesome!