Artist's Statement

My art has always been influenced by animals and the natural environment. Dogs, particularly, have always held a special place in my heart and have been an obsession of mine for many, many years. I am fascinated by the way they are able to reach out and connect with us across the Great Species Divide, speaking to us in the language of the Wild while enjoying our attempts at domesticity. I love their body language, distinct personalities, modelesque shapes and ability to "live in the moment"- something I, myself, have a hard time doing.

My dogs and I are avid hikers and nature lovers, so I often have my interest piqued by the landscapes we travel. The beautiful patterns and colors formed in nature and the occassional surprise of glimpsing wildlife is very special to me and a reminder of the sometimes-subtle blessings God has given to us.

My current art is representational but I am more interested in interpretting the shape, color, and spiritual energy of what I see than by slavishly re-creating details to make something look photorealistic. Most recently I've begun learning the Japanese art of block printing (woodcuts, linocuts) which is a wonderful process that straddles the visual and tactile. I love how it forces me to look at my initial drawings in more of an expressionistic manner, the energy that comes from carving into a block, and the surprise of each piece after the block is inked and paper pressed.

In our culture companion animals, wild creatures, and natural habitats take backseat to human needs/wants/desires on a constant basis. I would like my artwork to draw attention to the inherant value of animals and the environment, bringing attention to their individuality and beauty.I would ultimately hope each piece is a rich, visual experience that honors animals and their world as deserving of attention and respect.