The landscapes I live in become my studio, not as subject matter to draw or paint, but for observation, discovery and the collection of materials to create new forms. My work explores what Wendell Berry called the "unsettling of America," namely, the effects, the marks and the changes that humans make on the land and cultures of a given area.
To prepare for my work, I research the history of the place to learn how the interaction of the wild and the human has determined the direction and cultural makeup of that place. This research, or what I call "collaborating with place," helps me understand what I want to explore in my work and share with my audience. My installations demonstrate my desire to create art that gives viewers time and space to think about the local communities, economies, and ecosystems they inhabit. It is my hope that my art initiates questions which remind viewers of their importance, their responsibilities, and their place on Earth.