Many themes in my work reflect experiences as a child in Michigan and professional career as a designer, with my aesthetic being shaped by the dichotomy of the gritty landscape of Detroit juxtaposed with the pristine ski slopes and the open country. Similarly to these opposite experiences, I strive to make art that expresses a sense of evolution and the beauty of imperfection within a contemporary framework. I am enthralled with the balance of refinement and rawness, precision and wild abandonment, and the emotional tonalities the combinations evoke. The subtle changes that take place settle comfortably on and below the surface and the patina is much more beautiful than the new and unforgiving.”

I love the physicality of encaustic. The deep, rich aroma of beeswax, the earthiness with its sweet undercurrents soothes your sense of smell. Carving, etching, and mark-making, building up layers, pushing pigment into the wax, polishing, fusing with fire . . . it asks you to be more wholly involved. And, the resulting luminosity with its smooth, sensuous finish begs to be caressed.

Enamored with the visual arts, my involvement doesn’t end with encaustics. I love all design; architecture, interiors, graphics, jewelry, furniture, typography, photography . . . the innumerable ways in which something can be presented to the eye fascinates me. All influence my work and my encaustics are often layered with my drawings and paintings, manipulated photos, stamped numerals & letters, calligraphy  and impromptu text.