I create artwork because I like to tell stories. I enjoy communicating with people but often in a more abstract way than through written or oral narrative. My visual creativity comes more naturally and am able to express my own vision for others to see or not see. Perhaps they see my story or have their own. I want people to find something in my art that allows them to think and usually they will reminisce...find a thought with which to walk away.

The underpinning element in my work is a message influenced by the conflicts in nature. While I may approach a series of work in a slightly explorative manner, my art is an extension of my respect and appreciation for our environment and everything around us. Watching, listening and becoming one with our natural world allows me to imagine things much differently.

My inspiration comes from seeing the unseen. To me, there is no such thing as a photo without meaning. Every word on a page speaks a forgotten language. I spend much time looking and pondering the ordinary things we may take for granted before starting a project. Most often, I start with a substrate of recycled or repurposed scrap material, adding to it other found objects to create a unique statement.

My current work brings new life to creatures that have taken their last breath in this world. One of my earliest attempts at preserving a past life was when I came across a dead bird while being guided around an old house. There it was in the center of the room that was least used. Instinctively, I asked the woman if I could take the bird home. Months later, the wings from that bird were showcased (along with dryer lint, birds eggs and illustrations) in a mixed media piece titled Plight of Innocence. It was the inaugural work in my “nature series” and in 2011 was unanimously voted “Best in Show” out of more than 400 art entries at a major fundraiser event. The jurors were respected directors from three major art museums in the Raleigh/Durham area.

I embrace the opportunity of a creative, bustling environment to fully cultivate my creativity. I choose to work with encaustic wax because it is so versatile and yet unpredictable. The medium allows for endless possibilities. My goal is to expand my exploration of mixed media, focusing on the encaustic medium and introducing paper as a viable substrate.

My favorite thing about being an artist is trying something new, working out the kinks, then sitting back and saying “I can’t believe I did that. I love this piece!”