ARTIST STATEMENT

My relationship with art making began as a private adventure.  It was an attempt at processing my thoughts and continues to be a way in which I explore myself as a person. Through this, I have discovered the power and influence art making can have in personal healing and development.  I believe the best vehicle to my growth as a person has been learning to paint.  In paint, I express myself without censorship or judgement.  

I am inspired by the mystery and beauty of nature and my work often depicts natural landscapes and scenes.  I like finding and re-creating the personality that can be seen in inanimate objects and plants.  This allows for a freedom of expression and wildness in my work.  

As a self-taught artist, I know first hand that anyone can create a work of art, and my work as an arts educator is to share that knowledge with others.  Art’s power begins with its impact on the artist.  When viewed in this light, the product of the art making process is secondary to the process itself.  Many people don’t have access to the freedom, empowerment, and enjoyment of making art because they believe they are not artists.  My work is to facilitate opportunities for people to see themselves as makers of art, so that they can be empowered through the process, as I have been.