For me, being an artist is more a state of mind than anything else. One brush stroke leads to the next just as one moment in time leads to the next. There is an awareness in creating an artistic work that requires a responsiveness to the process. Rather than seeking to reproduce something in its realistic form, I choose to find an emotional connection, and try to express that in the painting. I use form, color, line, and composition in a way that is rather explosive in order to connect to the emotional core. I am most influenced by the abstract expressionist painters, notable Kandinsky, Rothko, and Pollock. I admire their work and enjoy exploring their styles of painting.
Artist Statement
My formal pursuit of art began in high school where I explored many artistic processes including printmaking, silk screening, ceramics, photography, and jewelry making as well as the basics of drawing and painting. I continued to learn and grow as an artist at Penn State University main campus, as a fine arts major. Later I joined the Allied Artists group in Johnstown, PA where I continue to exhibit oil and watercolor paintings.
My work has won numerous awards at juried shows from 2010 to the present. It has also been accepted for exhibition into regional art shows and galleries in western PA including SAMA-Southern Allegheny Museum of Art in Ligonier, Loretto, Bedford and Johnstown; Southwestern PA Council for the Arts; and the Mr. Fred Rogers Fine Arts Juried Exhibit in Latrobe.
In 2021, a solo show of my work was held at the Bottleworks Art Center in Johnstown, PA.