My work is a fusion of symbol and construction. Having been heavily influenced by the work of Joseph Cornell and Louis Nevelson, I create assemblages that draw upon personal memories, emotional and psychological struggles, and meaningful life experiences. As a result, my work is both autobiographical and universal.

I use found objects and recycled materials as a metaphor for truth and discovery. I find beauty and inspiration in forgotten or discarded objects; and solutions to personal emotional, social, or psychological challenges in recycled materials. Giving an object a new life or purpose is cathartic for me.

For the majority of my work, I create boxes made out of reclaimed wood. The type of things I use in my work may include magazine clippings, cardboard, string, wood scraps, metal pieces, trash, wire, computer parts, and feathers. I often find things on the side of the road, in parking lots or yard sales, or my friends and family give them to me knowing I like to collect “weird” stuff (which makes the objects–and people!–even more precious). I keep these things in boxes organized by type and when I’m ready to start a new project, I pull them out and use things that are best suited to the theme.

Regardless of the materials I use, my artmaking approach is the same: I start with a concept, establish a conceptual goal, and apply my knowledge and experience to create something beautiful and meaningful. Each project consists of multiple works, usually in a range of media and grouped around a specific theme or concept. To the casual observer, there may not be obvious similarities between one of my pieces and another, but closer examination often reveals multiple layers of meaning. My goal as an artist is to create an emotional, psychological, or intellectual connection with the viewer by presenting them with an image or concept that can be appreciated on multiple levels.

I challenge myself every day to learn new things, to grow as an artist and a individual, and to be a good steward of this planet. I believe this is the fundamental joy and heartbreak of being human, and it’s why I make art.