Artist Statement

Human connection and cultural exchange inspire me because when we absorb the influence of a particular experience we also leave an imprint. The purpose of my work is to facilitate this connection and my mechanism is storytelling through mixed media collage. I explore the extraordinary within the ordinary and each piece of art tells a tale wherein the materials build tactile layers and their origins also add depth of meaning to the work. Collecting my materials is a treasure hunt through daily life encompassing remarkably diverse moments and places. I merge papers, textiles and found items from around the world, by cutting and shaping them to reveal the visual links that dynamically join and contrast them. I up-cycle ordinary odds and ends alongside precious and upscale materials, promoting sustainability and the potential of each item to be reimagined within a new context. Representational subjects and intricate patterned and abstract works emerge with form, detail, and texture. I sometimes tack down the collage elements with glue dots and embroidery, or paint and seal them with liquid adhesive, or assemble and affix the layers with metal brads, depending upon the piece and its background surface. My art is at once deeply personal and widely relatable, inviting reflection from the viewer about what resonates with each of us and the common ground we share.