My urban, hand layered mixed media paintings have been an ever evolving exploration of my life as an expat. The world has become smaller as I collect more and more homes in different countries around the world. Elements of each country and culture are slowly finding their way into my work, adding new and exotic details and changing my views of the places that used to be mundane.   

Creating these pieces connects me to the places I had to leave behind. I focus on creating images that evoke memories, inspiring people to explore different countries and cultures. I aim to bridge cultural and language barriers and make the world into a place where all people feel connected to one another.

My on-going series ‘World on Washi’ is inspired by my three year stay in Japan. While there I was fascinated by all the traditional techniques and beautiful materials Japan has to offer and I made an effort to experience as many of them as I could. I fell in love with Washi (Japanese paper) and this, combined with a new found appreciation for Japanese minimalist esthetics, compelled me to blend my modern, image transfer techniques with traditional Japanese imagery and materials. Resulting in exquisitely vibrant pieces that highlight the beauty and delicacy of the Japanese paper and the alluring nature of their culture.

I miss the beauty of life in Japan every day, including Japanese techniques and materials in my work makes me feel more connected to this magical country. Each piece in this series is a celebration of the elegance and artistry that you experience in Japan on a daily basis. Like a moment frozen in time, these pieces tell an intimate story and show you little glimpses of my experiences living there. Leaving great portions of the sheet blank highlights the exquisite delicacy of the washi and gives the subject an unusual focus. My often equivocal titles provide a glimpse into my mind and the stories I remembered while creating the piece.

I want to invite you to step into my world and be inspired to explore and discover the beauty of this gorgeous culture. This series began as an exploration of Japanese culture but now that my home base has changed again, I expect other cultures will start to invade and blend into it. As I continue traveling and adding destinations to my portfolio I am looking forward to how this series will continue to evolve.