I’ve been creating art in some form all of my life. As a child, I carved birds out of clumps of dirt, created finger paintings of mud on the concrete outside my father’s dairy barn, and used my crayons to make new colors instead of just ‘coloring inside the lines’. Through the years, my ‘tools’ have evolved and my desire to make art has grown into a much deeper curiosity of the shapes and colors I see every day. I’m inspired by what’s around me … by life’s simple pleasures.
For me, drawing and painting create a special relationship between my surroundings and my perspective on it. The combination is an inkling of a story waiting to be told. I become lost in the process as I work to transform the vision inside my head into something meaningful on my canvas.
Nature is a source of absolutely amazing shapes, forms and colors—especially botanicals. I love the details and the slow, relaxing process of seeing a plant ‘grow’ on my paper or canvas. I prefer to draw and paint in a realistic style while leaving room for my own interpretations. So my artworks are somewhat realistic, but also have a personal touch.
My process relies on observation and imagination. Sometimes I trust my eyes to tell me what to put down, how to draw it, how to paint it, what’s important, and what to leave out. I also rely on my camera to freeze a moment. My goal is to capture the beauty, enjoy it again and again, and share it with those who also appreciate life’s simple pleasures.
My artwork reflects my appreciation for the beauty of life that surrounds me. If just one person feels the same appreciation from my artwork, then I’ve successfully met my goal.