Artist’s Statement
A love of the outdoors, inspired by growing up in the Appalachian Mountains of Northeast Tennessee, guides me and becomes the underlying theme used throughout my work. Whether working in an abstract or more realistic style the shapes, forms, colors, and textures in my work reflect our natural environment. I am constantly exploring, experimenting, and trying new directions with the various water media materials that I use. I am repeatedly drawn to water-based media because of the spontaneity it allows and how the unpredictability inspires me. I like letting what happens in the first loose, wet application of the paints, whether in watercolor or various acrylic mediums, suggest the direction I will take with the work. My paintings are very spontaneous and seem to have a life of their own; there are always areas of interest and mystery awaiting discovery by the viewer only after spending time with a piece—things not apparent on first glance.