My work is based on a process of exploration, collection, and experimentation. First, I explore my natural surroundings through walking, hiking, gardening, and generally spending time outside. When I do this, I am constantly looking. I pick things up based on what catches my eye. It could be something that sticks out from its surroundings or something that appears in abundance. Either way, I find what I find. I don’t generally look for anything specific – if I do, I tend to miss out on other treasures resting by my feet. I only pick up something that is dead or actively dying – nothing alive. It is important that I do not take something out of nature before it has completed its original task. What I am doing with it is purely secondary. Once I have my objects, I plan their use. While some of the more abundant samples lend themselves to my colorist work, much of my collection is made up of unique pieces, unable to be replicated. They can be replaced with something similar, but nothing in my work is repeatable, even the color. It is this fragility and ephemerality that makes this collection special.
Please note, my work is best experienced in person, where a viewer’s sense of smell, hearing, and touch are allowed to interact with the pieces in conjunction with the visual aspects. The photos on the following pages give a peek into my practice, but do not represent the work in full. That can only be done when physically interacting with it. Feel free to contact me (Contact Page) to experience the work.
