Artist Statement

I believe creativity is a priceless act of peace.  It is the complete opposite of destruction or of war. Creating art is a powerful way to present audiences with ideas and allow them the space to decide, to chose, to incorporate their voice and vision into the dialogue. 

I create by channeling my feelings.  Often the idea for a painting comes to me whole, in a dream, a thought, or a memory.  I usually sketch an idea first, and then paint until I like what I see.  Sometimes, someone walks in with a flower, or a story, and I paint that in too.  Sometimes I get the flower or story first and I work around it. 

I like the flexibility of being able to work with whatever I have in front of me, of not having to sort things out.  Instead of keeping the good, tossing out the bad, I get to transform every experience into something beautiful and worthwhile.  If I am honest with myself and my feelings, and capture the moment in a way that is pleasing to my eyes, that is productive.

My art is a visual affirmation, a way to dream out loud in color.  It is a safe way to be honest, an insulated way to be open.  It is my way to reach out and connect with others. 

And through my work I find that beauty surrounds me, even during the hardest of times.