My story

My hands are the conduit through which I explore the world and make sense of the complex connections I feel. These connections begin with family and the stories that populate my memories, then turn to nature with its glorious collection of patterns, color, and possibilities for structure and palette.

I am originally from the South but have lived all over the world, finally settling in Tennessee several years ago. I feel reunited with my roots in this beautiful part of the world—the land, plants, animals, and people of this area remind me why I love making art. So many of the things I find interesting relate to my upbringing in the South as part of a large, complicated, and colorful family. The myths, legends, and reimagined stories are central to who I am. My ongoing fascination with storytelling, memory, and patterns found in nature are all woven together, but the processes used to tell my stories constantly change. Perhaps that’s the consistently inconsistent rhythm that keeps my attention—it’s like reading a beloved book again after many years only to find it feels entirely new. The central themes of my work are always being reconsidered and mined for new understanding; exploring the processes that allow for that change makes me eager to return to the studio every day.

One of my ongoing challenges has been feeling I had to choose just one medium as a focus. I used to struggle when asked which suited me best: paint, ink, clay, or perhaps wax? But I’ve come to realize that I love the process of making art most. Each image and story deserves fresh consideration, and I search for the best possible tool and material to make it a reality. This always leads to new discoveries and possibilities, which fuel all that comes next.

Click on the links below to access articles written about my work and process over the years, and if you’d like to see where I studied and have exhibited those buttons are below.