Primarily working in oil paint, my work uncovers and preserves magic found in the everyday. My process begins with careful observations of the world around me as I go through the motions. When I organically come across an abandoned object or remarkable fixture, I collect the object or take a photo of it and begin to conjure up the ways in which I’d like to personify the object through my art. Once in the studio or on sight, I begin to investigate the lives and environments of these found objects. I spend lots of one on one time with my subjects before even picking up a paintbrush. It is crucial to capture the object in its element, including any signs of wear, key colors to enhance that relate to mood or environmental specifications, and striking perspectives that turn an otherwise unremarkable subject into the star of the show. My bold and symmetrical compositions are meant to force the viewer into seeing as I see, guiding them through tender moments of slowness and discovery. 

I enjoy mixing surreal elements with grounded realism, blending internal and external experiences. Most times my subjects are manmade, although some derive from the natural world. Signs and poles covered in graffiti relate to human connection and our undying desire to leave a mark. A long term fascination of mine is a sign in a local ball park that’s decorated in dents and graffiti reading “RIP” and “played here in 2022” which act as an attempt at turning a memory with a deceased loved one into a permanent feature of the land. Trinkets, toys, momentos, and natural subjects hold inherent cultural associations that I draw on to extract a pervasive feeling which is used to preserve a moment, like a journal entry. A fortune indicates destiny, a playing card indicates chance, and a goose relates to transience and change. A cityscape scene of an ordinary brick building includes a biblical-looking star shining high in the sky with three geese flying in a row around it, reading as an ancient omen in modern times. 

In a world which seemingly grows and expands at the speed of light, my work aims to create impactful moments out of the mundane which encourages viewers to slow down and appreciate the small, fleeting moments of life before it’s too late.