| I began writing poetry in high school, just like all the sensitive, punk rock kids. My initial attachment to rhythm and imagery was inspired by the more emo bands in the hardcore/punk scene -- groups like 7 Seconds, Rites of Spring, groups that wore their hearts on their sleeves.
In 1989, I took a poetry writing class with Gary Sange at Virginia Commonwealth University. When Gary read a poem by Wallace Stevens out loud, it may well have been the first time I'd ever listened to a poem. Three short poems emerged from that class alive -- India Ago, Georgetown 1987 and Feeder.
Through the 1990s, I continued dabbling with writing, both journalism and poetry.
In the late 1990s, I began taking workshops at Richmond's Hand Workshop and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts' Studio School. The quality of guidance and critique I've gotten from the workshops has been beyond belief -- especially what I've received from fellow participants in terms of feedback and inspiration. I continue to turn to my original instructors from those workshops for different things -- Leslie Shiel for fine-tuning and sculpting, and Susan Hankla for creative momentum and juice.
The site is organized into three sections, linked above: New Work, Tumbled Glass and Old Work.
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