Artist Profile

As a California native, I'm intensely affected by the agriculture of the state. I grew up in the San Joaquin Valley amongst the orchards and now live in the vineyards of Napa Valley.

In my most recent series of paintings, "not always as it seems", the work is my most autobiographical as well as metaphorical. The painting process begins with a completed painting that I might show as it is, but I'm compelled to take the image to the next step, that is with the application of metal leaf, risking a complete sabotage of my work.

Prior to the leafing process, the painting has been carefully planned, executed with method and intention. By applying the metal leaf adhesive, invisible liquid over particular areas of the image, not always knowing whether I am enhancing or destroying. Once dry, the excessive leafing is removed and the final image emerges.

Although one can plan their lives to meticulous detail, interruptions, tragedy and enhancements happen, leaving oneself in a state other than what was once expected but instead beautiful, glowing, different from what was planned.