My art alternates between representational and abstract images. One informs the other. Representational art, like a novel, creates an emotional response and invites conversations about meaning. Highly abstract or non-objective images are, for me, about the “grammar level” of art. It is essentially art about art. My current “not a tourist” series is about unusual views of places I have visited. Sometimes landscapes, more often cityscapes, or engaging interior spaces. Even though figures are not usually present, these places reveal much about the people who built and inhabit them. A bit surrealistic, the pictures provide multiple possible narratives for the viewer.

A successful match of methods and materials to message stimulates new ideas and new imagery. For in-the-moment, painterly images, particularly my series featuring folk art and arcade figures, high fashion manikins, dolls and animals, I make monotypes, the most fluid, forgiving and immediate method of printmaking. It is basically painting with ink on a slick surface and printing it only once. When color and mood are essential, watercolor is my choice. It is the least forgiving yet a magical method. And for my most studied and detailed “scapes”, I like my version of mixed media, which combines elements of drawing and painting and uses materials that do not usually go together, i.e., pencil, black lithography crayon, solvent and watercolor to heighten the drama. I always learn new things through the extension of an idea and the methods used to make it into art.

“My work features ecosystems of Oregon with its bees, flowers, sunrises and the landscape of farms and rivers. I paint images that are urban and rural, of natural and social history, wild species, forgotten peoples, wide-open spaces and optimistic futures where humans and the environment have come to balance.

With research and color as my instruments, I create contemporary natural motifs in bold colors and graphic elements. This research into communities begins with immersing myself into a place, gathering stories and creating images that truly speak to the vernacular. From here, bold local characters, patterns and historical places are planted into the designs. Looking past the obvious through up-close observation is an important motivator in my process.

I believe art has the power to create a sense of place, inspire hope and beauty, and to bring communities together to work on a visionary project for the whole. I hope to inspire people to break outside of our typical routine, look more carefully at our home place and discover beauty in unusual places.”