Artist Statement

My art work is deeply rooted in the natural world and explores themes of memory and place. Remote adventure travel has long been my passion and the concept of waldeinsamkeit (solitude in the forest) is instilled into my spiritual DNA. The work aims to give my experiences in the wild a visual voice.

During my outings, I shoot, paint, and collect objects that inspire me. Once back in my studio, I find the composition, sketching imagery without altering the found object until the composition reveals itself. When finally working on the piece, the marks are intentionally sparse to preserve the integrity of the found object. 

“Old Growth Owl” was drawn on a large piece of birch bark found on the north side of Rock Island, Wisconsin. I chose to paint the deep magnetic stare of a Great Horned Owl encountered during the same trip. This piece is the latest addition to a series I am currently working through called “relic drawings” all of which are drawn on found objects.

Plein air painting keeps my observation and drawing skills sharp and I have long used photography to record my travels.