As I work to discover my authentic voice, an expression of who I am at this place and time, each artwork that I create is a dollop of a thick stew containing a wide range of ingredients. In the pot are are all my interests and loves: nature, science, anthropology, books, collections, museums, history, curiosity, wonder and awe. Mixed in there are the spices: a love of light and shadow, a touch of mystery, and an ode to beauty. Each time I dip the ladle in, a different combination of ingredients and spices is gathered, so the work is not singular or linear. Through varying combinations and emphases, I can venture down many pathways investigating different worlds within this broader personal universe.
In making explorations of the natural world the major focus of my art, I am also trying to elevate its symbolic importance - something that artists have mined since the first days that they began to leave images behind. The recent “mosaic” paintings are my attempt at celebrating nature’s beauty and mystery, conjuring up symbols for reverence as the ancient Romans did when they created their incredible nature-focused objects and mosaic floor designs. This also aligns with my strong interest in exploring how we came to see the world as we do today and the many ideas and events that influenced us along the way.
My process is simple and direct. I use basic tools, pen and ink, pencil and watercolor, to create images that often ask the viewer to uncover relationships among and between collections of objects. Creating recognizable spaces for the objects to inhabit hopefully helps the viewer develop their own narratives and meanings.
