I am continually drawn to the concept of clearing passages and forging paths of energy, seeking to cultivate a sense of light and hope even within dense or tangled environments. This foundational pursuit shapes my artistic practice.

A deep reverence for nature has been at the heart of my work for many years. My childhood in Michigan sparked my lifelong appreciation for the natural world. Today, the Mississippi River entices me to its banks and the ravine behind my home offers endless visual inspiration throughout every season.
 
Developing multiple layers of paint is an important aspect of my practice. As I build these layers, decisions are made about refining shapes, creating more contrast, spatially pulling something forward or pushing it back. I never have a clear sense of what the work will look like in the end and therein lies the excitement of creating.

I primarily work with watercolor, ink, collage, and oil paints. Watercolor’s spontaneity and freedom continue to captivate me. Some of this work is cut into shapes and I collage those fragments into other watercolors, creating a unique process of recycling.

My approach to oil painting encompasses both small-scale and large-scale works, with some pieces extending up to nine feet in length. I view the smaller works as intimate, while my larger paintings are intended to immerse viewers, suggesting ethereal passages.

In my recent series, Good Omens and Tiny Rituals, I present collected objects—such as stones, feathers, and shells—against painted backgrounds. These intimate altars suggest these gifts are sacred and deserve close attention. I am intrigued by the history of rituals across cultures and how objects like a found feather can represent connections to the divine, the cycles of life and resilience.

Spirit Vessel marked my first large-scale installation, created for my solo exhibition Storms and Silver Linings at the Figge Art Museum in 2023. I am enthusiastic about pursuing more projects of this nature, inviting community members to participate in collaborative creativity and understanding..