Artist Statement

As an artist I draw inspiration from ordinary experiences and objects; my father wearing his old straw hat while picking the season’s best for my mother’s special pie; a crisp fall day with the wind swirling colorful leaves; or that first moment of witnessing grief among sacred symbols and holy rituals.

These are portraits of life; the subjects I paint—everyday scenes that capture an emotion with a goal to immerse the viewer. They convey the expression on a child who doesn’t want to pose for a painting and would rather be playing outside or, best buddies who played hooky to go fishing at the river.

I see art everywhere. My mind is a vast and fertile space collecting images and ideas that elevate my thinking and orchestrate ideas for the characters, setting, composition, and execution of what I create.

While I feel comfortable working in a variety of mediums, I strive to master the technical control necessary for watercolor, the ability to have my brushes dance with oil on a canvas, or laying down simple lines in pencil to suggest form and space. Experimentation with traditional mediums and digital techniques has also allowed me to push boundaries of generalities and reinterpret realism.

I continue to challenge myself, explore ideas, and gather experiences on my journey to inspire.