Artist Statement

I have vivid childhood memories of climbing trees to the highest branch or swimming as far as I could in the ocean to get away from the world.  Growing up in a rural country setting allowed me to embrace Mother Nature, and for my family spending time outdoors was always a priority.  I feel the deepest connection to nature and have the most peace with myself when I am immersed in water, especially the ocean.  Feeling such a dominant force of nature surround me and touch every part of me somehow makes me feel refreshed and powerful.  I leave the water feeling that no one can break me down or hurt me; nature energizes and empowers me.  As an adult, I carry this amazing feeling with me.  When I am down, the thought of the water and other strong forces in nature can always inspire me in everything I do. 

Unfortunately, my experience with nature has changed. When I view nature through my camera’s eye, all I can see is how man is changing nature.  My art work focuses on Mother Nature and the interactions between humans and our environment.  I notice the relationships between natural and manmade forces, and I capture problems like pollution and new construction that may arise from human interaction.  I hope that my audience is able to see how everything they do changes the landscapes that surround them.  The rough texturized land compared to the smooth and uniformed manmade objects creates a tension between the new and the old.  I hope my viewer is intrigued by the standardization of manmade elements juxtaposed with organic nature.  After seeing my images, I hope my viewer is more inclined to embrace the world around them, the natural and manmade.  I feel that we are living in a unique time where we can witness the daily interaction of natural and manmade forces.  We would be missing out if we did not examine these forces and decipher the potential outcomes that will arise from the inevitable interaction of man and nature.