In my work, I attempt to recognize our shared humanity and to contemplate our individual and collective place in this vast, amazing, and confusing world. This leaves me with one foot in the very analytic, scientific world and the other in the amorphous, spiritual, or philosophical realm. I believe that if we pay attention to both or these spheres and take the time to be in direct relationship with others, we can, as a community, find great joy and perhaps reestablish a sense of child-like wonder within ourselves.
The materials and processes that I use are chosen to bring a sense of curiosity, comfort, and unity. I try to build soft, but interesting, and technical worlds. These worlds may contain serious problems, but I attempt to encourage the search for solutions by suggesting a reasonable path forward, a direction. This is frequently expressed with maps, diagrams, puzzles, or equations. When printmaking, I work for long hours etching very specific marks into the plate; the plate creates an impression on the paper, and the viewer is exposed to the raw physical evidence of these efforts. In my painting and ceramics, I purposely leave imprints or signatures behind. I carve and scratch in. I do not smooth or obscure. In these moments of intense work, I experience the freedom of being totally immersed in a process, as a child unconcerned with an outcome might be. My work will never be hard or pristine, it will always have evidence of play and a joyful, truthful imperfection, an invitation to fully join me in this messy, wonderful adventure.