I am a multi-disciplinary artist. My great love and jumping off point is fine art photography. After accepting a job at a commercial photography studio seven years ago, I had the incredible fortune of a wonderful mentor who taught me the technical aspects of photography: camera, studio and location shoots, editing, darkroom, alt-process printing and film (motion). That period is when my curiosity shifted into high gear. I explored experimental processes such as image transfer on paper and distressed metal and alt-process printing which ultimately led to other media. I started making work that included botanical contact prints, paint, ink, indigo and paper fiber, with and without photographic components. Currently, much of my work is figurative or nature-based. I am always seeking new ways of pushing my process forward. I am quite curious and persistent although I am primarily self-taught (outside of the studio education) I try not to let a lack of education hold me back. It can be a bit painful sometimes, too slow for my eager hands, but I typically allow my curiosity to fan my flames and lift me up to wide-eyed experimentation and fearless exploration which has allowed me to cast a wide net when it comes to process. The figurative botanical prints I am currently making are not anything I have seen before. It was just an idea and some trial and error but I really love the place I ended up and I would like to see the work continue to evolve and refine. I am okay with things being a little messy, a little imperfect, because for me, it is about the honesty in expression that truly makes a piece sing. Sometimes I worry about being spread too thin but I realize that if I am true to myself, my voice carries through to everything I touch and that feels right. I think my voice is present in my work no matter how I create it.

I think all artists have to be incredibly resilient to continue to make art day after day, month after month, year after year. Artists are putting their hearts and souls into their work and laying it out for people to see, hear and judge every day. Not getting shows, not having sales, not getting likes, not being able to afford materials, sometimes not being able to pay the bills, all on any given day can be soul crushing. To rise above that to a place of open creativity is beyond brave and for me, the very definition of resilience. It is a daily battle, not to mention dealing with the slippery entity that is creativity. It is a difficult concept to grab hold of sometimes and can be cruelly fleeting and elusive. It is difficult to stay centered and focused when these things are constantly popping up and can easily make one question his/her choice in life and worth as an artist. These are constant battles I face. Being an artist is not for the faint of heart. It is truly for the most courageous, open-hearted and resilient among us.

I think it is so important to recognize the value of artists in our culture, and to understand what art adds to our humanity. In the way food nourishes our body, art nourishes our soul. A world without art would be flavorless, colorless, mundane. It is imperative to broaden the creative possibilities in schools and recognize the gifts that emerge early so that kids can have opportunities to learn and explore and find their way earlier in life. Art should be encouraged and intertwined with all aspects of learning. We need to understand that being creative makes kids stronger learners, better thinkers and more diverse humans which improves this world for everyone. Art should be a viable career path in our society as much as any profession… doctor, lawyer, teacher or banker. Society must buy the work instead of bartering for exposure and treat the work (and the artist) with the respect it deserves. We must share the work, hold up the artist, and recognize the importance of the individual artistic voice and it’s contribution to culture.