Artist Statement

My paintings and works on paper, for the last twenty-plus years, have mainly dealt with place, the physical and mental spaces as a major theme for creating works. I relate this theme to my childhood, growing up on a wheat farm. The open spaces allowed me to look outward towards the landscape, while my mind was busy internally constructing concepts for understanding reality that formed early impressions of my identity. My paintings have explored compositions that show the contrasts between place and physical or mental spaces through abstracted shapes or design motifs juxtaposed with representational images, activating the background through their interaction and thus becoming more symbolic in meaning. The external and internal references are controlled in different ways; alternating their placement within the composition through the perspective of the image or by eliminating any external references to place. 

Most recently, my work has been influenced by my meditation practice and a series, called the "Breath Series", painting or drawing lines synced to the inhale and exhale of the breath. This practice brings more physical awareness to my body and mind that subconsciously is revealed through abstract compositions.