It seemed endless as children – time spent outdoors to explore and pretend. Our innate adventurous tendencies exploding with opportunity. These cherished moments were more important than I even realized.

This body of work explores our innate adventurous tendencies when given the opportunity to be outdoors, without technology and without distraction. As children, we naturally have these opportunities more often. Ideally, often enough that summer seems endless. As adults, we realize the value in these moments but fail to seek them as often as perhaps we should. Observing young spirits enjoying this idyllic state of adventure is something to behold.

The materials embody a treasure hunt of sorts. Both to acknowledge and pay reverence to the history of those materials, and to recognize the desire of a treasure hunt in children. A simple object found deep in the dirt deemed treasure by the purest of souls.

These materials hold a story. Each of the objects hold meaning. They were saved, enjoyed, and cherished by someone for some portion of their lives. Through collage & assemblage, I use them in my work with the paint itself. We all have a story. Part of mine, I believe, is to tell a little part of everyone’s.

My work reflects the luxury of the vast land and giant skies I grew up with. My identity is linked with the sky.  My belief is that all things are possible in a place of endless horizons and unobstructed access to the clouds and stars. The sky matters in its endless configurations.  It determines moods and speaks of weather present or to come. I observed it to be almost transparent yet so forceful. Rain on the desert removes despair with hope and promises a better tomorrow. The sky can present itself as a menacing storm only to see that the sun always comes after the darkest cloud passes with unearthly haunting and radiant brilliance. My paintings ask us to look up and notice the wonder and beauty that surrounds us. With the earth grounding our feet and the wind lifting our dreams into sky, feel the unexpected peace that arises with each breath.

I enjoy portraying improbable (but not impossible) scenarios. Many of these scenarios grow from observed reality. But the final components for a painting are assembled in my imagination. While the subjects and settings may change, the common thread comes from some element of dichotomy or analogy.

A potted plant in the lobby of an urban high rise is not that far removed from a suited man in a remote natural setting. Both require food, water and air. The potted plant is dependent on man for life and the suited man is dependent on nature for life. They both survive but are alien to their surroundings.

My paintings have evolved into an outlet for me to explore these concerns with dichotomy and analogy. The evidence of this exploration is not always obvious. My hope is that the results will yield something that resonates with the viewer.