Artist Statement
Making art brings me great joy, and I believe each canvas is like a brief moment in an untold story.
My collage art is inspired by vintage images found in old magazines, catalogs and books. I am fascinated by these forgotten treasures and the people who left them on shelves and in boxes in basements and attics for me to rediscover. By the time I find them the paper is yellowed and faded, mice have chewed the corners and insects and moths have made their holes. But these images are precious to me. I imagine the time when they were brand new and the dreams they inspired - of beautiful fashions or traveling to far away places. They are as fresh and brimming with innovation to my eyes as they were to the eyes that saw them the first time around.
When I choose the images for a collage I am conscious that the final result will be whimsical, often surreal, while remaining visually rooted in times past. And it is my intention not only to stir imaginations, but also to encourage a sort of sentimental nostalgia.
I use a combination of media in my work, including paint, found objects, vintage papers and handmade papers from around the world. The irregular textures and beautiful colors of the papers make them unique and a pleasure to work with, as well as being particularly pleasing to the eye.
It is my sincere hope that these works invigorate imaginations, inspire beauty and bring you as much pleasure in viewing them as they brought me in making them.
