Artist Statement

Jagged or water-worn rocks, moss-covered earth, gleaming birch trees, and chameleon rivers of West Virginia are my subjects.  Nature has always been an important component in my work.  I thrive on working from life.

The landscapes are created en plein aire - painted rapidly on location with various palette knives and pieces of matte board.  Working in this traditional mode, I emphasize the importance of experience.  I focus on capturing the pure, authentic feeling of the state's terrain through abstraction.  The works are not images of sweeping vistas, but the views found exploring the interior of West Virginia, revealing its true character and beauty.

The act of painting is central to the work as well.  My process involves smearing, scraping, and thickly layering oil paint, until the essence of the landscape is found.  This direct way of working reflects a desire to capture the fluidity, power, and honesty of nature.  Retained is a relative simplicity of form along with an economy of strokes that are utilized to construct a strong image.  When people view my work, I would like them to revel in the application, trace and enjoy the experience presented before them.

Selected Exhibitions 

Recent Works James Brooks Gallery, Fairmont, WV 2006*

BA Interdisciplinary Degree - Studio Art/French - Fairmont State University, Fairmont, WV 2006 (Cumme Laude)

 Allied Artists of WV

*indicates solo show