Growing up in North Carolina, I was interested in the different species of lizards that were around me. One of the species that is easiest to find in my mom's garden is the Green Anole (also called the Carolina Anole) which are the only anole species native to the Southern United States. 

These lizards have a dewlap, that is exposed when the lizard is signaling its desire to mate or warding of predators. When the dewlap is exposed, the lizards' bodies vibrate and look like they are doing pushups.

I recreated the dewlap using a balloon to push (when inflating) and pull (when deflating) to recreate the movement of a dewlap. 

Lizards are resilient. They can regrow their tails and other limbs and they experience hyper-evolution (meaning their species evolve incredibly fast).

Creating Raymond eased my homesickness and allowed me to find peace in my childhood interests. 

At the same time , creating Raymond taught me how to be resilient and calmer when there isn't much time to create. Raymond was my final project for a three week summer class where I learned how to create kinetic pieces using air and fluids as the main mechanism. Before taking this class, I had never created an inflatable piece before so it was a challenge to get familiar with new concepts and create a functioning piece in three weeks. 

A blackberry with eyes follows you around the room. Name? Steve. 

Steve is not following you to frighten you, Steve simply Is maintaining the appearance of being engaged and present in your conversation. Steve does not hear a word you say. 

Touch Designer, Webcam, Blackberry, 3dprinted eyes.