Artist Statement: I became fascinated by the study of color, abstraction, and conceptual art while I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The works of Hans Hofmann, Edvard Munch, Robert Rauschenberg, Mark Rothko, Vincent Van Gogh, and many others have influenced my painting style and technique. Whether working in an abstract expressionist or loosely representational style, I use texture and color to develop emotionally-charged atmospheres. Visible brushstrokes and mark-making add movement and spontaneous moments of interest in each work, as well as allow the viewer an insight to my vigorous painting style. 

Born and raised in North Carolina, I’ve always been drawn to the Atlantic Ocean; creating abstract seascape paintings came naturally. Since moving to the Midwest, I’ve found a new appreciation for gravel roads, small-town life, and never-ending cornfields. I had reservations about moving so far from the coast, but I felt an immediate connection to the rolling hills of northeast Iowa; the waves of grain and dramatic horizon line actually mimic the beachy landscapes and rolling hills of my childhood. 

I’m constantly learning and observing, paying attention to the colors, textures, and relationships around me. As my art evolves, I find myself acknowledging the abstract properties of everyday occurrences. I’m fascinated by the way we perceive things and how our own personal experiences shape our understanding.