I am a figurative oil painter currently obsessed with my pets' daily lives. It began in 2020, after I received a grant from the James River Arts & Cultural District Program for a solo show at the city of Lynchburg’s Riverviews Art Space. Due to the pandemic that year, the exhibit closed after less than a week. Like many effected by the shut down, I sought refuge at home. Isolated and surrounded by pets, it was a natural pivot toward a deeper investigation of animal art. Within the following year I inherited four cats, and my household pet population burst to nine cats and one dog. Managing peaceful relationships between so many personalities became a perfect catalyst for painting.

My pets are extremely honest in motivation, and I am curious about their awareness of life. I observe their interactions to paint recognizable, everyday moments as my central theme. Influenced by an expressionistic approach, I usually start with a separate graphite sketch to think about and make studies of light and intimate compositions that will focus in on a specific situation. I apply paint from a limited primary palette to explore color mixing, shape, and texture. I have started to incorporate lessons in color temperature to gain more intention and control in my multi layered application. I create on stretched canvases, birch wood cradle boards, and the occasional artboard.