The First Traveled Road, Gets a New Path

A.R.C. Casino Night Silent Auction

One of my greatest joys is watching people reach out—again and again—to touch my artwork. Many stop just short, hesitating as if an alarm might go off. But those brave souls who do reach for the fibers reaching back? They have my whole heart.

They’re breaking the age-old rule—“Don’t touch the art!”—and in doing so, they’re giving me the greatest compliment imaginable. I made something they had to touch. Not just see, not just ponder—but physically feel.

At the annual A.R.C. Casino Silent Auction Event, a woman—who will never know the magic she sparked—reached out and touched Traveled Road #1. She made my night even though it didn’t sell alongside the well known and sought after items like — Waterford crystal, Magic Castle tickets — I understood. I’m not a known artist. My work is... different. Especially in this economy, hesitation makes sense. Still, when A.R.C. asked if they should return the piece or keep it for another event, I happily let them hold onto it — unaware of the beautiful chain reaction that was about to begin.

They brought Traveled Road #1 back to the A.R.C. Center, where participants come and go all day long. Dozens could have passed it by. Instead, they flocked to it. No hesitation. No high highfalutin manners ingrained by gallery signs. Just connection. They touched it. Instantly. Instinctively. As if the piece called out, and they answered.

It stirred the entire center and it brought me to tears of joy to hear about it! I couldn’t have asked for more out of my art. It was the highest praise I thought I could have received until…

A.R.C. has commissioned me to create a permanent installation for their Common Room.

No words could express my awe and honor of such a request. We get started later this year.