Creation inspired by creation.

I see the natural world as a living artwork, but so often the details of this magnificent creation go unnoticed: how the wind becomes a wave as it moves through tall grass, how the passage of time is evidenced in the colorful layers of rocks, or how a beautiful pattern forms behind a worm as it eats its way through a leaf. My work is how I document and honor these details. I work with mixed media to create abstract depictions of what I admire about this world. It is an invitation for my audience to take time to slow down and notice the details both in my work and the world around us.

In my studio, my process mimics the natural processes that impact nature. Similar to the processes of erosion, evaporation or plant growth, my work takes time. It is a reminder that the natural world does not work on our time-frame and I embrace this time as a meditative activity. I mimic the earth’s layers as I build up and scrape away layers of paint, and allow gravity to move watery pigments into the lowest points on the canvas, to emphasize the subtle textures of it. This slow-moving process continues, each layer influencing what I will add next, until I realize the piece is finished.

I do not spend time planning what the final product of my work will look like, but rather my studio time is filled with experimentation and play utilizing different materials, textures, patterns and colors until I reach a satisfying effect. Oftentimes, as I add layers, I begin to see something forming on the page, like a crashing wave, or a mountain range, or a desert horizon and I begin to embrace it and build upon this idea. Other times, my work lends itself to less clear imagery, allowing the viewer to bring their own experiences and interpretation to it. And finally, connections and conversations begin to form as these interpretations are shared, challenged and agreed upon by the audience.