Kelp Impressions - Kelp at “I” Level

I am a painter and a printmaker, and I am trained in design. Working somewhere between abstraction and realism, I am seeking to embody the vantage point of a non-human ‘other’. I tend to work in a series format, which allows me to settle in and explore the concept at hand taking the time to fully develop an idea that submerges the viewer into a narrative. I choose a non-human subject that is ubiquitous but often overlooked or misunderstood. I want to give the viewer a sense of place. I want to convey a reality of interconnectedness utilizing a visual language of namely line, color, shape, and space. Convolutions of line and shape, intersect with planes of color to define space, and to represent the complexity of living organisms. My painting practice is informed by my printmaking practice. I strive for each piece to be part of a larger body of cohesive work, yet I also want each piece to be able to stand on its own formally.

Experiences, memories, photos, and imagination are all starting places for my work. My current project ‘Kelp Impressions - Kelp at “I” Level’ began when my life as a professional kayaker ended in 2019. It is inspired by the void left after a long worthwhile career of daily work on the ocean. Kelp, like the ocean water surrounding me, was a daily companion in my life. From my unique vantage point of paddling a kayak and being a swimmer I was able to be submerged in kelp, observe it, taste it, and feel it on a daily basis. ‘Kelp Impressions - Kelp at “I” Level’ represents a personal pursuit of bearing witness and practicing empathy towards the non-human world, as well as a re-imagination of our relationship with life on this planet. The project includes large format oil paintings, monoprints, collagraphy prints, and monotypes.

The Vespula Project- I am a WASP

The Vespula Project, is born out of a love of wasps and a reverence and fascination of their natural history. I am exploring the nest, the animal, and their natural history. Starting with a subjects deemed a “pest”, or a “service” to society, I offer an alternative abstracting viewpoint which explores both the intricacy of the ecosystem and the intrinsic beauty of these under-represented subjects. This project includes a series of large format abstracted prints using monotype, collagraphy, and intaglio processes.

Simple Life Series

The Simple Life Series began in 2002 and is still emerging. Each linoleum block image tells a story of discovery about the uniquely beautiful flora and fauna and of living a simple life on a small island of the Salish Sea. In the years: 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007 & 2008 I published a year calendar titled - A Simple Life. I use oil based Charbonnel, and Gamblin Etching Inks, as well as Lightfast Speedball Water-Soluble Block Printing Inks. The papers I presently prefer are: Fabriano Rosaspina , Legion Stonehenge, and Magnani Pescia. Most of my Simple Life Series are available as hand pulled limited edition signed prints framed or unframed. I also offer most images reproduced as greeting cards. Please inquire about availability.