Artist Statement

As a contemporary impressionist painter, my work focuses on the spiritual connection formed by spending time outside and being  present in the moment. I am inspired by the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan, finding Mother Nature to be the greatest storyteller and best healer.

My creative process involves working both in the studio and on location en plein air, often blending the two. I work with both gouache and “open” acrylic paints that offer the unique ability to blend and render brushstrokes with a simple, portable setup. This allows me to capture the feeling of a specific moment as I explore Michigan’s splendor.

My greatest hope is to allow viewers to pause and remember that the present moment is all we truly have. I want to inspire others to explore and protect the great outdoors, embrace their own creativity, and ultimately, look in the mirror and believe in themselves again.

Biography

I studied painting as a BFA student at Western Michigan University, but corporate life eventually pulled me away, leading to a move to Texas in 2006. Years in high-stress sales resulted in severe anxiety, depression, and profound autistic burnout.

To find my way back, I sought out hiking, sparking a long recovery that ultimately brought me home to Michigan in 2026. Here, the powerful combination of hikes, fishing, and a return to the canvas allowed a deep personal healing to take root, helping me truly believe in myself again.

Now based in Bellaire, Michigan, I create paintings capturing the healing power and splendor of the Great Lakes region. When I'm not in the studio, you can find me on the trails with a paintbrush in one hand and a fishing pole in the other.

Currently open to commissions, collaborations, and exhibition opportunities.