about
Everything that happens outside the studio informs what happens inside the art.
I value community connection, and if you’d like insight into the Snohomish Art Community and the Snohomish Studio Tour—both passion projects I co-established, go see this lovely interview by Melissa at True Northwest Magazine. Go to video
Snohomish County Placemakers podcast features an interview about the Snohomish Studio Tour and co-founding love of the Snohomish Art Community. Find the podcast here.
Or visit True Northwest Magazine’s website to see a copy of the Fall 2023 issue, where there’s a feature on Snohomish’s inaugural Studio Tour. Go to True Northwest Magazine
I’m a process focused abstract artist, creating vibrant and emotive art to connect with people at an intuitive and tranquil level. I curiously approach each painting as a blank-slate opportunity to see what comes forth. I begin by making bold marks or applying jarring color to head straight into the fear that accompanies starting a new project. I let my intuition drive the colors, patterns, and materials—allowing my heart and hands to do the work, rather than the brain.
Nature is always an influence in my work. Sometimes it presents as tangible elements of nature, like lush deep greens and impressions of fern fronds found in a Pacific Northwest rainforest. Other times it’s exploring the nature of being human, through colorful layers and patterns driven by the complex emotions that come from daily experiences.
I use juxtaposition of recognizable elements in contrast with expressively guided veils of color and scribble marks. I’ll incorporate realistic flowers, clouds, or animals as part of the base layers. Sometimes the recognizable portions of my paintings are unseen, but they’re present in the overall feeling of the finished composition.
Occasionally I’ll become attached to a portion of a painting and try to protect it, rather than allowing the process to unfold organically. When this happens, I’ll go back to focusing on the process of the painting and do something dramatic to move it forward (usually applying paint directly to the part I’m trying to preserve).
What is beautiful about my art practice is, it’s transferable; it influences all parts of life. As a process driven painter, I get to exercise sitting in the discomfort of the unknown, challenging my attachments, and strengthening the ability to approach life with curiosity and openness.