Artist Statement

Abstracted images, shapes, and forms set in an imaginary space boundary inhabit my paintings, mixed media and sculptural pieces. My works are mostly in series that begin with a spark of inspiration. This can come from something in my surroundings that stimulates my imagination, an image in my minds eye or a remembered impression. The inspiration is followed by decisions around materials and the experimental process that will visually express the sometimes elusive, intangible image in my imagination and capture its essence. Translucent, layered light is a strong element in my pieces, sometimes diffused or highly contrasted, perhaps reflecting the daily drama and influence of moody ocean views and the subliminal memories of frosted prairie winters. Currently I use a limited color palette, employing a variety of tools in my mark making, manipulating materials and media intuitively and impressionistically. There is a dialogue between the work and myself as I process and alter form and surface by incorporating or combining materials such as fabric, paper, wire, thread, and clay along with paint, encaustic and other media until it takes on a life of its own. Final works are a result of the alchemy between inspiration, intuition, process and chance.