Artist's Statement 2008

I've always lived in urban environments where the natural world was not a part of my life or my identity.   Now living near the West Marin National Seashore and for the first time surrounded by nature, I see life like I never have before.   Botanical imagery and natural forms such as tendrils, roots, and branches replace pavement and skyscrapers of my former big city existence.

As a result of this remarkable new exposure, I have begun an examination of my relationship with nature, that has caused my perspective about the world in which we live to change.   From watching seasonal changes in the environment, I see how all life is interdependent and intertwined.   As the natural progression of life unfolds, I realize that it mirrors my own experience of birthing and raising children.

In an attempt to join with nature and honor her life force, I paint about two aspects of my outdoor experience. In my black and white works, I attach an inked brush to a tree's branch and allow the tree's painting to spontaneously unfold, thereby representing the interconnectivity of human life and plant life.   My process-oriented paintings of botanical imagery, result from experimentation with materials and tools.   These pieces are created with acrylic paints, watercolors, inks and polyester resins applied to wood panels. Again incorporating nature, I use a variety of tools for spreading inks and paints including branches, brushes, cooking tools and other unique found objects. The resin, the same as used on surfboards, is applied as a final skin coat to revive and heighten the vibrancy of inks once they've dried.