The concept of tangible and spiritual connections is central to my artwork, where the natural world serves as a profound metaphor for human vulnerability, resilience, and growth. As the child of refugees, I am acutely aware that safety and belonging are not universal rights. My paintings explore the quiet yearning for a safe space to bloom, using organic imagery like stones, water, seeds, blossoms and root systems to symbolize our shared humanity.

I work primarily with oil paint, watercolor, collage and ink. Layers of paint create ethereal, ambiguous spaces. I collect stones, feathers, shells or pieces of wood on walks along the Mississippi river, in the ravine behind my home or while traveling. In my series, Good Omens & Tiny Rituals, these objects become a part of the artwork, being held up as sacred and worthy of closer inspection.

As a mother, grandmother, and art educator, I care deeply about what is passed on to future generations. I draw inspiration from the extraordinary, unseen vitality of the earth; how winter gives way to lush spring or how young children sprout and grow at an incredible rate. I embrace the subtle shifts of life, capturing the fragile, beautiful moments where we survive, adapt, and continue to blossom and grow.