Artist Statement:

The creative process is like having a key to a secret room. It's fun, exciting, and adventurous.

Travel is my key to unlock that secret room of my creative soul. People, places, and animals provide unbelievable photographic opportunities. After returning to my studio, I pour through thousands of images to chose the ones that will become part of my wild, succulent style. Then, I digitally draw an outline of the image in Photoshop. That whimsical illustration is then transferred by hand to canvas where I begin to lay down colors. My contemporary folk art style may have more than five layers of paint with contrasting and harmonious colors laid one over the other. Your mind may tell you that you're looking at one solid color, but your eyes actually pick up on the subtle nuances and vibrations of color in the different layers.

Currently, the creative muses use me for a little fun. I paint humorous pet images and still-lifes in this funky folk art style capturing the personality of the animal or the atmosphere of the place. The dichotomy of literal and figurative images opens the door where the creative spirit and the methodical mind merge, allowing each person to take a different message from the piece. My aim is for the viewer to feel drawn to my characters, and smile.