While I am making these paintings, I am between a state of dreaming and prayer. I reach a place where my unconscious mind and imagination are freed, so that I am able to create my own visual experience.  These paintings are primarily abstract, but often contain plantlike or somatic forms that maintain the feeling of a landscape.  These natural forms are easy to relate to and they set the stage for the intimate experience I want to create.  I saturate the painting with information so that one has to slow down to take it in.   I challenge the viewers’ perspectives on landscape and suggest a new and astonishing kind of beauty.  Viewers can wander around in these paintings, and be transported by the power of their imagination combined with mine.  I would like to convey something of the meditative experience I have while making them.  I want people to feel that they are part of a creative progression and that the universe and ultimately their own selves are full of profound beauty. 

In the spring of 2017, I had the opportunity to collaborate with Peabody alumnus and vocalist Carol Cannon and pianist Allison Tsai on a collaborative music and art performance.  I created paintings inspired by thirteen short vocal pieces composed by Erik Satie.  The paintings were shown during a recital for a live audience in April of 2017. 

My approach was to combine my meditative painting method with a method of musical inspiration.  I danced the paintings, letting my brush be influenced by the music and lyrical content of the songs.