Artist Statement

I recently moved to the Hudson Valley from Chicago and am transformed. I feel a spiritual connection to the creeks and forests around me. Something I never felt in my former life. My bedroom, with its huge bay window overlooking our land, is my sanctuary. In the afternoon it is dramatically altered by sunlight and shadows. And I am bringing this childlike wonder to the studio with me.

I begin with images that reveal some of the magic I see. Often my dog, Fiona, is my surrogate in these scenes. A canvas that has been painted with a bold underlayer gives me the energy to dive into a sketch of lights and darks. In the next sessions I begin to add hints of color or I further develop the heavy contrast of the initial sketch. I am searching for a balance between obscure and known, dreamlike and real life.

In finding that balance, I hope to share how my new home has brought a sense of calm and joy to my heart battered daily by the outside world.