Artist Statement

           My passion for the natural world is a driving source of inspiration for my work. I aim to capture the life-like qualities in my subject matter while creating an atmosphere that stimulates the senses. I focus on communicating a sense of realism in my art while bridging a relationship between the subject matter and the world around it.

           I employ materials like soft pastel and charcoals because of their tactile nature. I particularly enjoy blending soft pastels to create smooth gradations. I like to limit the number of pastels I use, much like in traditional oil painting, and combine them in order to create rich, convincing color relationships.

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        In my series, “Capturing the Secrets of the Boundary Waters,” I hoped to share some of the magical moments that occur in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) is a series of interconnected rivers, lakes, and trails in Northern Minnesota.  Cell service, and even other visitors, are both rare to come across when paddling the remote wilderness. The water is so pure, you can drink straight from the lake, and “Leave No Trace” principles are vital to protecting the nearly untouched area.

        Before my first trip up to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in 2015, I had gone kayaking and canoeing a few times, and I enjoyed day hikes, but I had never endured anything quite like the seven-night, 60-mile canoe trip I signed up for. After submitting myself to the unknown wilderness, I knew my life had been changed; I fell hopelessly in love with the BWCA.

        In the stories I tell about these canoe trips, I feel like no words can explain the area’s magnificence. No description or picture has been able to capture the astounding beauty and tranquility of the area, so I created this series in hope of being able to communicate what words and pictures fail to.