Creating art is my vehicle for understanding. My sense of self hinges on it.

One should craft a life one small action at a time, my creative process follows a similar meticulous path. I find solace in painting the intricate details of nature—blades of grass, leaves, ripples in the ocean—as well as human subjects because fundamentally they are all built through repeated patterns. Through similar strokes and layers, done repeatedly, I achieve realism in my work, mirroring the gradual accumulation of actions in life leading to meaningful outcomes.

Sewing and embroidery also captivate me for the same reason—the transformative power of small, repetitive actions. Each stitch, insignificant on its own, pursued in large numbers creates elaborate figurative imagery. It can be challenging to commit to a project knowing it will require hours spent one stitch at a time but I embrace the belief that these small, tedious efforts will ultimately prevail. 

My subjects often reflect experiences that contrast with this notion. Struggling unknowingly with symptoms of Lyme disease for years left me feeling increasingly disconnected from my surroundings and seemingly taking no actions at all. Stagnant I watched my experiences rather than participate. My ongoing series represents a quest for progress through incremental measures, a commitment to taking tiny steps. Through realism, I seek to reclaim and reconnect to missed opportunities, while mixed media allows me to focus on the steps I'm presently taking.

Essentially understanding my identity is tethered to the next small step, the next creation.