Artist's Statement (2007)
My first public art exhibit was in 1994 at Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Prior to completing graduate work at Hamline, I created artwork for my own pleasure
and to satisfy a strong desire for creative self-expression. I have taken art history,
drawing, and art technique classes, but consider myself to be mostly self-taught.
The core of my work is rooted in personal experiences and observations of life, and
a strong interest in the struggle for social justice and human dignity.
Prior to completing graduate work at Hamline, I created artwork for my own pleasure
and to satisfy a strong desire for creative self-expression. I have taken art history,
drawing, and art technique classes, but consider myself to be mostly self-taught.
The core of my work is rooted in personal experiences and observations of life, and
a strong interest in the struggle for social justice and human dignity.
| Community of Hope #53 (2002) Also known as Web of Life #5 Watercolor, 17” diameter Private collection |
I want to give visual expression
to the human capacity to "soar
beyond" limits, where immediate
circumstances of life such as
gender, race, or social status do
not define who you are. Hope,
which I examine from a spiritual
and philosophical perspective,
is the paramount theme in my
artwork. My current work
focuses on the relational aspect
of hope and our own
individuality where
"humanness," self, and purpose
are celebrated as boundless
and to be human means loving
lavishly and joyously in the
relational web of all life.
to the human capacity to "soar
beyond" limits, where immediate
circumstances of life such as
gender, race, or social status do
not define who you are. Hope,
which I examine from a spiritual
and philosophical perspective,
is the paramount theme in my
artwork. My current work
focuses on the relational aspect
of hope and our own
individuality where
"humanness," self, and purpose
are celebrated as boundless
and to be human means loving
lavishly and joyously in the
relational web of all life.
My style is symbolic and expressive rather than realistic. My passion is color. Much
of my work is influenced by people who are able to thrive in spite of difficult lives.
They define themselves by their dreams and create loving communities. It is these
attributes I express in my works.
of my work is influenced by people who are able to thrive in spite of difficult lives.
They define themselves by their dreams and create loving communities. It is these
attributes I express in my works.
