As an artist and children’s book author, I explore two main themes: nature and imagination. In my painting I hope to demonstrate nature’s strange and intricate beauty that I am in awe of every day.  I want to capture the essence of the forms and patterns I see.  

Painting with watercolor is an organic process that uses one of the most powerful forces of nature: water.  I am thrilled when the evidence of the water’s movement is recorded on the page.  The ingredients and process of the painting are correlated to the subject matter.  My intention in watercolor painting is to continually explore the possibilities of the medium.  I apply paint to the paper to achieve unique effects as well as accidental, exciting patterns and blooms.  I want the natural properties of water to be brought out in my work—the way water flows, eddies, mixes and pools.  This alive surface becomes its own surprising entity.  I remain conscious of how colors interact by juxtaposing them or having two colors call to each other across the page.

I love the freedom to make bold and colorful what might be more subdued in the natural world.  This is where imagination comes into play in the fullest, most whimsical manner.  While in my first book, a lamb is born to enjoy both a realistic and fantastical adventure, my second book pushes even farther into the realm of dreams. I stylize animals and people, and invent completely new creatures such as the human balloon.  The use of salt in my painting highlights the sparkling new reality I’ve created in which my characters play and learn.  While the environment might be dream-like, the lessons learned are very real and relatable, and ultimately teach the importance of forgiveness and love in relationships.  Other themes are courage, reliance on the divine, healing, unexpected friendships and a feeling of wonder.