Artist Statement

Earthy elements, texture, and collage; these are the underlying components that embody my work.

Embracing the beauty of the natural world, I strive to emulate textures and colors found in nature in unconventional ways. My collage work is non-representational, with many layers, each adding depth and soul to the painting.

An intuitive approach to creating art allows me to do what feels right in the moment. Not over-thinking each step.

My paintings start with a layer of linen or acrylic medium mixed with sand and coffee grounds. Using a textured base creates a beautiful foundation for the other mediums to live on. Coffee-stained filters or teabag paper is then collaged onto the base layer. Layers upon layers of coffee, paint, sand, pastel, and limestone powder are used to reproduce textures found in nature or weathered pottery.

I’ve always been inspired by weathered and worn objects and the story they tell with their aged beauty. Whether that be a two hundred-year-old tree or a handmade ceramic vase at the antique store, my goal is to create art that portrays a similar effect and story. Inspiring you to connect with the artwork and the natural world around you. You may notice parts of a painting that remind you of the moss covered rocks you see on your weekly hike, filling you with the urge to step outside and enjoy nature.

Coffee plays a huge role in my art and has become a morning ritual. I light a candle, turn on some soft music, and relish in that first sip of morning coffee.

When I discovered how beautiful coffee-stained filters were, it was a no-brainer to incorporate them into my art. Coffee filters, coffee, and grounds are used in one way or another, adding an earthy depth that is hard to achieve any other way. The use of coffee in my work inspires slow living and finding beauty in the unexpected. The unpredictable patterns the coffee creates when drying are one of my favorite parts of the process.

The narrative I wish to convey with my art is the importance of being present in your surroundings and inviting a sense of peace and nature into the home.