"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for."

- Georgia O'Keefe

Artist's Statement

The studio is my playground. Leaving the chatter of the outside world behind, I am free to express myself visually and truthfully. My work involves using a wide range of materials – encaustic paint, ink, graphite, oil paint, collage, watercolor, gouache, and whatever else suits my needs. My goal is to express the feeling of being fully engaged and present with the work. Daily thoughts, feelings, and experiences take a visual form.

Painting spontaneously is like working without a net or having a map to follow. I always begin with a mark; each successive stroke then adds to the conversation. But there needs to be clarity and balance, washed in subtle nuances of space and atmosphere. To do this, I look quietly inside – to see what memories or experiences might bubble up. And I rely on the natural world to guide my color choices. This journey grounds me in the present, setting the stage for what lies ahead.

I love creating challenges for myself, such as a puzzle or problems to solve. The main challenge is to create a balance between color and space to create a rhythm of movement. Having enough space is like having enough air to breathe. Everything must fit together like notes of music and be as fluid as a dance. When I reach that moment of "Yes," I am satisfied that every mark, color, and shape is there for a reason.