My work is defined by the removal of glass through hours of carving, grinding and polishing. The Affinity Series began as an unconscious way of working through events in my life, namely the birth of my son. After discarding and shifting aspects of my life for the benefit of my child, I began to see parallels in my new work. The new blown forms are simple, pure shapes that are quite “finished” in their own right. They undergo transformation as significant portions of the piece are removed through cold working. By using basic shapes and intentionally removing portions to create something new, a piece with a more complex and dynamic identity than the original is revealed. Such is our new life with this child. Like my work, I discarded aspects of my life that I felt were important and realized that my life was richer without them.