My current art practice is very much rooted in place. I have been using my art to explore a sense of place and how that interacts with sense of self. This is very much tied to spending eight years guiding wilderness expeditions migrating twice a year between the Boundary Waters and the Big Bend region of West Texas before putting down year-round roots in Ely. I draw the most inspiration from my surroundings, particularly the natural world. When I lived in the desert, I drew the cacti, century plants, and the canyons that feel like home. Now, I draw the bunchberries, birds and trees of the Northwoods as I seek to connect to this landscape. My art practice has helped fostered a sense of connection to the places I inhabit, and, in turn, I hope it helps foster that sense in others.  

I am a multimedia artist in large part because it allows me to follow my creativity whatever path is beckoning. Different moods, energy levels, inspirations, all, to me, call for a different form of art. It parallels that I as a person have a multitude of interests and that I often need new experiences to remain stimulated and engaged. If I’m feeling stuck in one avenue, I can pivot for a little while. Printmaking forces me to slow down and focus on the process, and it requires a certain letting go of control. Sewing helps me create sustainability with primarily using thrifted fabrics. Watercolors challenge me to stay loose and see how the water creates alongside me. Digital drawing allows me a different kind of freedom to experiment and explore a variety of subjects and styles. Photography allows me to try to document moments and the world around me in hopes of capturing who I was at that time.