Bio
My art gives one an insight into my own version of the spirit world. I am capturing what I interpret the in-between world to be, and where my own spirit lies: a colorful world that holds the faith there is something else other than the seriousness of day-to-day life. From the faceless shaman figures, to the expressive birds and animals, to the vibrant humans bursting out in symbolic, ecstatic dance: I paint what moves my own internal life.
The inspiration for my work comes from my connection to the nature and energy of my surroundings. I draw not only from experiences living in a small community in the Sierra Nevadas, but also from the ancient spirit of the land.
I have been taught in and have explored many artistic mediums over the years, but have found my voice with wood, acrylic paint, and ink. The wood and I have an understanding. Every piece of wood has a personality all its own, and I create around the knots and different grains it presents me.
The wood I use dictates what the finished product evolves into. I see the basic subject form in the knots and the grain. It’s akin to a Rorschach inkblot test. I’ll stare at the wood, and suddenly see figures hidden there: faces, animals, and spirits. The two major depictions in my work are Animals and Shamans. The animals serve as a link to Spirit Guide totems, and the Shamans relate to Spiritual Guardians. The figures may show themselves instantly, or I may need to revisit the piece months later. After set down the outline, I allow the piece of wood to guide me the rest of the way; as the painting progresses I feel an outside force meet an inside force. The outcome is the finished product you see.