I paint composite landscapes inspired by adventures in nature. Throughout my life, I have traveled thousands of miles by self-supported bicycle, crossing the United States, Europe, Bolivia and New Zealand.  Grueling mountain ascents and relentless wind and rain forged my resilience and determination. Today, as mother homeschooling four kids, I share that passion for outdoor adventure with them through multi-week road trips filled with camping and hiking. My artwork is inspired by our adventures throughout the west coast and in the desert, drawing from memories, direct experience and wildlife observations.
 
My landscapes are not plein air paintings, but rather emerge from the organized chaos of family life. In my studio, I translate photographs and memories from our excursions in my studio into vibrant acrylic works. I start with a specific place, such as Joshua Tree or the Oregon coast, or a wildlife encounter with a bird or coyote. Then through aggressive layering, I build compositions that are alive with saturated yellows and oranges for desert light, dense greens of coastal forests, and violet shadows of high altitude. Bold, visible brushstrokes echo the excitement and energy of children in the wild- urgent, alive and full of wonder. 
 
From small affordable sizes of 5x7” and larger pieces up to 36x48.” My work creates a physical presence matching the emotional intensity of encountering wild places, at times exhausting, exhilarating and overwhelming. These paintings don't document specific locations; instead, they capture the heightened, almost hallucinatory experience of seeing the wilderness through the eyes of children. My art practice has allowed me to reclaim my own sense of self while and turn fleeting moments into lasting memories of connection.