ARTIST STATEMENT

My work revolves around certain themes, but always is based on direct observation of the material world. I think about the relationships between people and animals and strive for a mix of communicating honest emotions and an authentic record of my perceptual experience. 

My recent relief-paintings and sculptures explore themes of animal isolation and connection, captivity, and hope.  I try to use humor and empathy as I combine imagery directly observed from nature into new compositions.  Earlier I found ways of working directly from perception while using papier-mâché sculptures or my children’s drawings to make new worlds to paint from.  This work led to the relief paintings which have become a hybrid of sculpture and painting. I use mirrors and windows in my paintings and reliefs to compress space and overtly put myself into an environment to reinforce the kind of self-reflection and connections I feel.