Artist Statement
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My work is about communicating in images in such a way that the mind is silenced, allowing the more spiritual dialogue of feelings and emotions to lead the way. As I tap into these characteristics in myself, I desire to invite that same state in the viewer.
My sketchbook is my canvas, opting to work directly on the canvas versus preparing multiple detailed sketches before I begin painting. When I’m out walking in my yard or neighbourhood, I pay close attention to what attracts me. There is a reason for that attraction. I’m curious enough to figure it out and explore the nuances that have evoked the reaction in me. Very often what attracts me are flowers, and lately the full landscape scene has me curious. In the moment, I’m concerned with composition and lighting, two critical aspects of my paintings. If the lighting is poor, it won’t make an interesting painting. When the lighting is good, the shadows and highlights are amazing as they define the shapes and nuances of the item I’m focused on. With the moment still in mind, I endeavour to recreate that feeling when I’m back in the studio. Through the use of meticulous colour mixing, composing the image in a way to be compelling and scaling the scene to such a degree that extraneous information has been eliminated becomes very exciting. My medium, oil paint, allows me flexibility to work with the image for an extended time, using vibrant colours, and muted tones in perfect harmony. Ultimately, I desire to create an image that allows beauty to tap right into my heart and emotions. Evoking this feeling side is the key focus in my work. I also believe this beautiful connection translates to the viewers of my work. 
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