The daughter of an accomplished artist, my appreciation for art and art history began early in my teen years, when I started drawing and visiting art galleries with my father.
I am a primarily self-taught artist, with formal training in graphic design and photography. Working out of my home studio and listening to music or true crime podcasts, I can often be found painting at my easel with two dogs at my feet! When not painting, I am likely reading about it – I enjoy books about artists (past and present) and the creative process. I can also be found at art galleries, which I still attend with my father.
Painting is an explorative process for me and I am inclined to let my work evolve organically. My creative process is mainly about deconstructing my scene or subject, removing detail and building it back up through spirited colour choices, purposeful brushstrokes and expressive texture. I use soothing combinations of colours that calm, yet am also drawn to contrasts that energize.
I paint subjects the way I feel them, so am less fussed with specifics and more focused on invoking sensation and spirit. I use a combination of loose and lively brush work, shapes and lines to give my work a feeling of movement. The end result is a dreamy scene, full of life and energy.
I work mainly with acrylic and oil paints, using brushes, palette knives and mediums to produce the effects I want. I love to sketch with charcoal when I'm wanting a looser vibe and pen & ink for more fine work.
I am inspired by the shapes and rhythms of nature, the disposition and charm of a building or cluster of dwellings and the calming allure of creatures. I'm also drawn to scenes that depict nostalgia and the throwback feeling of lighter, brighter days. But even a song, a film or a piece of writing can spark a creative burst which might take me down an unexpected creative path… and that’s what I love most about art and expression!