Artist | Educator
I'm great. I'm an artist, teacher, native Oregonian, beer drinker, cat lover, wayfarer and wanderer. My left eye is lazy, I stick my tongue out when I smile, and I cannot for the life of me figure out the stove top diagrams. I love summer, miss the rain when it's gone and am transfixed by the quietness of snow...I have always loved puzzles. I like to sift through all the pieces, analyzing their parts, and take immense satisfaction in seeing how they all fit together. For me, a photograph and a concept is an elaborate puzzle--a puzzle that takes me to beautiful landscapes, wandering through antique stores, building in the wood shop, sewing a new costume, assembling props by hand, and painting both traditionally and digitally. In short, photography lets me have it all.
My imagery is printed large through an extensive “stitching” process in Photoshop that requires a custom-built computer, a beast I lovingly nicknamed Thor.
Viewers are enveloped by these large-format works that often leave them suspended in moments of rising tension, and the fantastical subject matter and use of vibrant, luscious colors result in eye-catching and wonder-filled imagery. The use of collage and hand assemblage of props allows me to construct my own world and create my own narrative, while the use of photography tethers the story to this world and place in time. It’s a cathartic endeavor that investigates the wonder of myth, beauty of nature, curiousness of humanity, and above all, strives for hope.
Browse
my Visual Diary page to view more of the amazing places my photography has
taken me, and peruse Instagram to get sneak peeks behind the scenes—it’s where I practice and contemplate novel ways to
integrate my creations into compelling composites. And there's a few cute kittens, too.
If
you’re interested in learning, I teach workshops. I also founded Light Box Laboratories, a program
dedicated to serving underprivileged and at-risk teens. Click the
link to find out more and email me if you’re interested in
participating.
My
fine art work has been exhibited internationally and was recently published in Communication Arts.
Select works are represented by the Rental Sales Gallery at the Portland Art Museum.