I spent the first ten years of my professional life restoring antiques and art objects.

The first step in art restoration is to carefully clean the object, to discover its history through the layers of dirt, damage and use.

In the Czech Republic I swept and washed the stone floors of the 13th Cent. granary, where I was working. It was through the activity of sweeping that I was inspired to concentrate on the flagstones of the floor by grouting the stones with spices––I created a pattern based on generations of wear.