My artwork developed from an interest in the figurative, and the inner life of my subjects. I find my inspiration in vintage photographs of people whose identities often have been lost to time, but feel familiar in some way. I’m always looking for a story or composition that creates a direct connection between the subject and the viewer.

I have worked as a mixed media artist for years, collaging with vintage ephemera, postcards, old letters, photographs and paint to build layered compositions. I also developed a technique of collaging with batik fabric onto board, creating a soft, dreamy drawing substrate for colored pencils. I’m fond of both the tactile, built-up quality of collage, and the quieter, more focused nature of drawing onto fabric. 

Most recently I have been focusing on oil painting, which has become the most exciting part of my practice. It has given me a way to slow down and really develop light, atmosphere, and depth in my figurative work. Even so, I don’t see oils as a separate path from mixed media. Each approach informs the others. I’m always thinking about surface, texture, and how to imbue each piece with a sense of connection.

I live and work in Plymouth, Michigan, where I maintain an active studio practice. I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan.