Most of my current work is a quiet meditation on the intrinsic worth of the ordinary, mundane, or undervalued. When I first moved to my little corner of Texas, I was unimpressed by the stunted trees and the brown grasses all summer, but in time I grew to appreciate the unassuming charm of my new home. Its humble presence became an inspiring reflection on resilience, refuge and respect for the ordinary and overlooked. In a similar way, my appreciation for people and life has also grown into a quiet admiration for humble humanity and the gift of life we all share.
I try to say these things through the medium of watercolor painted on textured panels. When I see the dogged resilience of the scrubby Texas trees, I see myself and others: learning that despite the frantic superhuman pressures of our current age, strength grows in the everyday in-between spaces. Like my landscapes, my portraits are reflections on the power of ordinary moments and glamorless strength.
While I am not the first or likely the last artist on this journey, learning to see and appreciate my world in this way also offers me a gentle resistance to the harsh and unforgiving nature that life sometimes has. There is a place for bold words and big plans, but I feel my place is to speak this wordless language as a healing reprieve when things are hard, not just for myself, but for others who find themselves weary. My hope is to offer not only this gentle resistance to despair in hardship but also a determined appreciation for ordinary people and seasons in life.
