artist statement
The subject matter of my current practice centers on transitions and growth, connections and communion. I am drawn to instances in which people “let go” or lose themselves in something or someone else—but in doing so, they in fact find themselves more fully or discover something greater. I reference observation and imagined situations to offer impressions of individuals as spiritual and relational beings, and tend to work on a small scale, enjoying the intimacy this creates with the piece itself and the details of it. To me, focusing on intricacies relates strongly to a search for genuine things, a search that features prominently in my artmaking. In looking for “real” moments, there’s a push away from contrived experience or virtual reality. A circumspect approach to color and the role of light is key in my efforts to capture these contemplative moments and people. The process is likewise meditative, often beginning with inspiration from songs, Scripture, or stories. The compositions and their features evolve through mindfully applied strokes of color building paint in thin layers.